“Above all, clothe yourselves with love,
which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3.14:)
“Connection, I just can't make no connection” (Connection, The Rolling Stones)
“Rethinking Denominational Linkages: The transition time helps raise the awareness of a congregation to its denominational heritage, ministries and resources.”
(from The Five Developmental Tasks of the Congregation in Transition)
It’s been said about the mainline church that we live in a post-denominational era. People don’t attend worship or formally join a church because of its denominational affiliation. Combine this with the oft-heard phrase, “I don’t trust organized/institutional religion” and we have a stew of indifference about “denominational linkages.”
While there’s truth to the expression that “all politics are local”, it’s also true that a church can’t deny it has some denominational connection even if tangentially. The style of worship, the form of governance, the theology of a church has a history of some sort. That history (and linkage to it) may be invisible to most, but the heritage is visible in clergy attire (jeans or robe), who the clergy are (white and male), and what’s heard from the pulpit.
Which brings me to the interim task of “rethinking denominational linkages.”
Most PC(USA) congregations will experience denominational ties through their presbytery’s Committee (or Commission) on Ministry (COM). This group will provide a Liaison to the COM helping the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) do its work.
The PC(USA) provides a matching service (Church Leadership Connection/CLC) connecting churches seeking a Pastor to Pastors seeking a call.
And foundational to the entire call process is our understanding of Ordered Ministries (Book of Order) that is distinctively Presbyterian.
So, denominational connections are built into the transitional process of getting to the call of a new Pastor. There’s much more that could be said about strengthening connections (worship, sacraments, social policy) but let’s leave that for another post.