On Wednesday Night, March 6^th, we will discuss Christian Doctrine. The word “doctrine” is defined in modern dictionaries as an “archaic” way of saying “teaching, instruction, or something that is taught.” Christian doctrine is a summary of what it means to be a Christian. Doctrine is the essence of what is taught in theology books, commentaries, sermons, and Bible studies. The Bible is a large book which may explain why there are so many Denominations within Christianity. Through the years, there have been disagreements about what the Bible teaches. And through these disagreements, there have been new churches and new denominations established.

In earlier times, Christians seemed to believe their beliefs so strongly that they were willing to worship in separate churches in order to be at peace. But in the latest edition of “On Mission” magazine published by the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, they reported a generational shift in denominational separation. They quote a 2017 Gallup Poll “in 2000, 50% of U.S. Adults identified with a specific Protestant denomination. In 2016, only 30% identified with a specific Protestant group. This notes the shrinking number of Protestants in America and the rise of Christians self-identifying as nondenominational believers.”

What do you think about this trend?  Is unity among Christians more important than being correct about every little point of doctrine?  In John 17, Jesus was praying for unity among His followers. Is our love for Jesus more important than our obedience to every verse of Scripture?  The fourth century Christian Pastor Augustine said  “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” Has Church Denominations pushed the correct doctrine issue too far?   Should we lay our denominational doctrine issues aside and unite as one non-denominational church?  Our question for the evening:

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