Judy in Pennsylvania asks:<\/p>\n
The various Christian denominations seemingly have particular strengths in the theology, practice, outreach, and church polity of their forms of Christian faith. How would you see these strengths being shared among individual churches and Christians across the USA and around the globe in an effort to strengthen the Christian faith?<\/p>\n
The Guy answers:<\/p>\n
It\u2019s that year-end season when journalists concoct lists. The Guy has no idea how and whether churches might share their strengths but \u2014 setting aside this blog\u2019s downplaying of mere opinion \u2014 here\u2019s a top-of-the-head\u00a0strengths listing that may rouse some comments:<\/p>\n
Salvation Army \u2014 Taking Jesus seriusly, and not just at Thanksgiving or Christmas (\u201cas you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me.\u201d)<\/p>\n
Eastern Orthodox \u2014 Worship that conveys awe and mystery. Unwavering devotion to the faith that \u201cwas once for all delivered to the saints.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roman Catholics \u2014 Doctrinal clarity. Rich intellectual tradition. Parochial schools. Hospitals. Charities. And much, much else. But could benefit by learning from:<\/p>\n
Presbyterian & Reformed churches \u2014 Skill with sermons (usually). Classic Protestant governance balancing\u00a0regional oversight with local iniitiative, plus responsibility, voice, vote, and sense of vocation for lay members (concepts\u00a0that helped create secular republics).<\/p>\n
Lutherans \u2014 Choirs. Parish architecture and other visuals (often). Wise handling of schism to honor conscience and limit strife.<\/p>\n
Anglicans & Episcopalians \u2014 Liturgy. Hymnody. But could learn much\u00a0from the Lutherans on schism.<\/p>\n
Black Baptists & Methodists \u2014 Enthusiasm. Free expression. Personal services in challenging circumstances.<\/p>\n
Pentecostals & Charismatics \u2014 Ditto.\u00a0 Revival of healing ministries. New music forms and worship experiments (not always beneficial).<\/p>\n
Mennonites & Quakers \u2014 Social services.\u00a0 And though most disagree,\u00a0an idealistic stance against violence that invites\u00a0reflection. Special\u00a0thanks to the Quakers for launching\u00a0America\u2019s movement to abolish slavery.<\/p>\n
\u201cMainline\u201d Protestants generally \u2014 Also a\u00a0heritage worth preserving, e.g.\u00a0lending white moral support\u00a0to the black civil rights movement.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvangelical\u201d churches and groups \u2014 Originality in all sorts of outreach, media enterprises, and specialized ministries. Commitment to\u00a0the Bible and to Bible study.\u00a0 Originality also (though\u00a0not always for the best)\u00a0in theology and political activism.<\/p>\n
Southern Baptists \u2014 Creative dedication to home and foreign missions.\u00a0Some success in\u00a0keeping adolescents and young adults engaged.<\/p>\n
Latter-day Saints (\u201cMormons\u201d) \u2014 A much more successful system to achieve\u00a0that last point.<\/p>\n
Observant Muslims & Orthodox Jews \u2014 All church groups might learn from their disciplines that bring reminders of God\u2019s presence into life each day.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Judy in Pennsylvania asks: The various Christian denominations seemingly have particular strengths in the theology, practice, outreach, and church polity of their forms of Christian faith. How would you see these strengths being shared among individual churches and Christians across the USA and around the globe in an effort to strengthen the Christian faith? The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1275,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-60","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n