All over America are churches that have Community in their names. What are community churches? where are they located and what are they in common? The question doesn’t have a simple answer However, this article will try to provide a satisfactory answer.
When pioneers travelled throughout and across the North American continent, they brought with them their own personal convictions about religion. In some instances, it was their religious beliefs which prompted them to leave to other places. Such as people who came to settle in Plymouth as well as the Mormons who moved to Utah. In the majority of cases, people and families were seeking the opportunity to make a fresh start. Regardless of whether that driven by an economic boom, land rush or some other motive.
These brave people founded communities, and these communities were the homes of new churches. Because the majority of civilized people attended church in the beginning. And there a variety of churches established when towns expanded. It was not unusual to find a town that small to include a Methodist church or one of the Baptist churches. A Baptist church as well as the Catholic church and the Lutheran church as well as a Presbyterian church, in addition to having a congregation that ranged from 30 to 50 people.
The Beginning Of This Community
As towns expanded or diminished and the churches grew, so did the towns. At times, three or more churches would combine when they grew too small to function on their own. In the event of these mergers there was always an issue over what the new group. Because the parishioners were from diverse backgrounds and had different convictions.
There was frequently tension over the perception of one congregation being the winner while the other one was the loser. To ease the tension the two churches agreed to an alternative name that was not a reflection of the history of either church. Because the church that being built the sole church that left within this community. It seemed only natural that the new church referred to as the Community Church.
In many instances, these communities were truly a blend of religious beliefs. In the pursuit of unity, every group would agree to compromise on a doctrine or practice that led to disagreement against the opposing group. This led to the fact that the majority of community churches had unclear beliefs and allowed large differences in beliefs within their congregations.
They typically emphasized the most fundamentals, like conviction within Christ and avoided any potential discord that would arise from the explicit doctrinal doctrines. Sometimes, the new church might keep ties to an organization of the denomination for pastoral staff as well as other administrative demands and other administrative needs, but most often they became completely independent, aided only through the local communities that they serve.
Place To Share Feelings
Another way that community churches established by changing denominations as well as local church. Most church groups established through the aid of several denominations, who sent out circuit-riding preachers and missionary pastors to establish churches. Through time the various religions changed their beliefs when they joined with other religious groups or influenced recent theological developments in seminaries. The churches in the country were generally more in tune with the current trends, however they spent more time in individual or group bible studies.
In the end, country churches were typically much more rigid in their beliefs as opposed to the denominations they represented. When these differences began to impact the local church. Many left the denomination. And began to form independent congregations, believing they were following the directive from 2 Thessalonians 2:15 to stand fast. And hold the traditions that they had been taught. There was a lot of churches who followed this same pattern in the wake in the movement of fundamentalists during the 1890s. Alongside the individual churches There were associations established to allow the newly independent churches to meet and provide assistance.
Community Church Is Always Increasing Every Year
In the last few years in the past. The term Community Church has been used to describe. Newly established churches that did not want to associate with any particular religious denomination. These churches that are independent are as diverse as the denominations they want to stay clear of. They could be charismatic or traditional and ecumenical as well as isolationist modern or traditional.
Certain denominations have ties, however. They have substituted the names of the denomination e.g., Baptist to appeal more to people who aren’t churched. This idea built in 1 Corinthians 9:22. Where Paul declared, I made all things to all men. That I might by all means save some. There is nothing biblical regarding community churches, however certain congregations may adhere to beliefs or practices that aren’t biblical.
Anyone who is considering joining a church. Must carefully review the practices and beliefs of the church in order to discern what their position is. The majority of churches make their doctrinal declarations accessible via their website or their offices. No matter what the name on the door, each church has a set rules and practices that define them. As believers as individuals must follow the model set forth in 2 Corinthians 2:9. And figure out what kind of church we’re looking at can described as obedient in all things.
