As a group, established denominations are in decline for various reasons.
Typically this happens when the collection of congregations in a denomination do not innovate the style of their ministry to present the substance of the gospel in a manner that is relevant to subsequent generations. These generations do not necessarily go to a church of their denominational heritage, they seek other approaches to spirituality, or they become unchurched or dechurched.
At other times it is because a certain denominational approach was popular for a season of years or decades, and now it is not. New waves of denominational expression are closer to the leading edge where new people are connecting with congregations. Being part of a specific denomination is no longer as important to congregational participants as it once was.
It is also because of the explosive growth of non-denominational congregations, some of whom are megachurches attracting thousands of people to their worship, discipleship and missional efforts. Although few in number in comparison to the total of 350,000 congregations in North America, they have a disproportionate number of members and active participants.
In some cases it is a de-emphasis on the necessity of a personal faith in Jesus Christ that is transformational in the life of each individual. A diminishing focus exists on individuals being embraced by the Good News. In some ways this is a greater emphasis on the Great Commandment — which is a good thing — and a lesser emphasis on the Great Commission —which is a bad thing.
For whatever reason, congregations in many established denominations are, as a group, in slow to significant decline. This obviously means their denominations are also in decline. These denominations are receiving much less financial resources from their affiliated congregations than they did several decades earlier. These results in less staff, programs and services available to meet the needs of congregations, so congregations go elsewhere for services.
Are entitlement and codependency slowing the decline?
Denominations would be in steeper decline were it not for entitlement and codependency that clergy and laity feel in regard to their denominational organization. Entitlement and codependency are not bad things in all situations. They are primarily bad when they create a mediocrity culture.
Entitlement and codependency cause clergy and laity to feel stuck. This is not healthy. Rather than adding value to denominational affiliation, these may actually devalue denominational affiliation.
Even if their denomination becomes dysfunctional, or even if their denomination takes theological, moral or political positions with which they disagree, they cannot see themselves relating to another denomination. Not until and unless they feel fully rejected, or are even thrown out of their denomination, would they consider being part of another denomination. Again, they are stuck.
Questions you need to consider about entitlement and codependency
Why are you affiliated with a certain denomination? Is it part of your heritage? Is it simply because the congregation with which you are connected is affiliated with that denomination? Is it out of theological, ecclesiological and missiological conviction? Is it out of ignorance that you do not know any other denomination well enough to consider them, so you do not want to risk the unknown? If you are clergy, is it because your denomination holds your ordination credentials?
Could you ever see yourself being affiliated with another denomination? What holds you in your current denomination? Is there some entitlement you have with your current denomination? As a layperson do you hold a certain status in your denomination? The connection might be as formal for clergy as they guarantee you an appointment to a church or other ministry setting because it is a connectional system.
Are there any areas of codependency? This could be as formal for clergy as they hold your retirement account; it could be a defined benefit system, and you do not want to risk losing the benefits of that system. It could be as informal as this denomination is where your closest network of friends are, and you could not see being in another denomination where you would have to start over. Is it that your identify as a Christian layperson or clergy is tied up with your denomination?
Are any of these good reasons for remaining with your current denomination? It is not that I want you to consider leaving. It is simply that I want you to know why you are connected with your denomination. Think about it.
