Comments on: The Independent Affiliate matter is not over http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-independent-affiliate-matter-is-not-over/ Scott Wells on the practice of Christian faith Fri, 09 Jan 2009 21:35:40 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Bill Baar http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-independent-affiliate-matter-is-not-over/comment-page-1/#comment-43964 Bill Baar Fri, 12 Oct 2007 14:04:46 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-independent-affiliate-matter-is-not-over/#comment-43964 Visit the thriving mega Churches around me and it's hard to figure out what their denominational loyalty is. Dig into it and you'll usually find some connections, but for the most part the Church and its members don't identify with a National Denomination. I find that a loss because it's the history of these national groups I find interesting (on reason I read your blog Scott because you cover this), but for most Church goers today the National Denomination is not very important. Visit the thriving mega Churches around me and it’s hard to figure out what their denominational loyalty is. Dig into it and you’ll usually find some connections, but for the most part the Church and its members don’t identify with a National Denomination.

I find that a loss because it’s the history of these national groups I find interesting (on reason I read your blog Scott because you cover this), but for most Church goers today the National Denomination is not very important.

]]> By: Derek http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-independent-affiliate-matter-is-not-over/comment-page-1/#comment-43931 Derek Thu, 11 Oct 2007 18:05:10 +0000 http://boyinthebands.com/archives/the-independent-affiliate-matter-is-not-over/#comment-43931 Does anybody find it odd that there is such a focus on preserving/promoting/supporting an ecclesiastic identity in a religious body that is the product of the Free Church movements? It feels strangely sectarian in some ways, and in other ways like Anglican/Catholic/Orthodox claims to preserving/promoting/supporting an apostolic identity. What this UUA identity-drive does not feel like to me is either ecumenical or interfaith, or like any of the broad definitions of Unitarianism and Universalism that can be relevant to wide populations. Because, and let us be honest, why should Joe or Jane America be at all interested in adopting a highly sectarian religious identity? Many highly sectarian groups at least offer some kind of divine favor (eg. the salvation of the chosen few, or the enlightenment of the secret elite), in return for one's membership in the sectarian body. Unitarian Universalism does not even offer that kind of reward. Does anybody find it odd that there is such a focus on preserving/promoting/supporting an ecclesiastic identity in a religious body that is the product of the Free Church movements? It feels strangely sectarian in some ways, and in other ways like Anglican/Catholic/Orthodox claims to preserving/promoting/supporting an apostolic identity. What this UUA identity-drive does not feel like to me is either ecumenical or interfaith, or like any of the broad definitions of Unitarianism and Universalism that can be relevant to wide populations. Because, and let us be honest, why should Joe or Jane America be at all interested in adopting a highly sectarian religious identity? Many highly sectarian groups at least offer some kind of divine favor (eg. the salvation of the chosen few, or the enlightenment of the secret elite), in return for one’s membership in the sectarian body. Unitarian Universalism does not even offer that kind of reward.

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