Are We Guilty Of Tribalism?
There is a certain controversy going on in the denomination my church belongs to. It doesn’t really matter what it is, because I don’t want to address the specific issue. What it all boils down to, though, is this. Certain leaders have signed a document declaring that what some others believe does not square with traditional denominational belief.
In other words, they are saying that a particular group of people are out of step with what the rest of us believe. It’s a bit fascinating to watch, but my question is this:
Isn’t is enough that we have a denomination? Do we have to divide out into smaller tribes within this huge denomination? Do we really have to draw a line that says, “Ok, those of us that believe this way are going to huddle up over here. The rest of you, huddle up over there.”
I don’t think this is limited to denominations either.
You see it in individual churches. You have traditional churches. You have contemporary churches. Within some churches, you have traditional and contemporary services. I even know of one church that has a traditional and contemporary service going on at the same time.
Are we becoming guilty of tribalism? Are we dividing up based on minor differences of belief or preferences, rather than focusing on what unifies us all together?
I know that I have been guilty of this in the past. I may still be guilty of it to a degree. However, my focus of late has been more about what draws me together with my fellow brothers and sister in Christ than what might separate us. I can’t imagine that Jesus is too happy when He looks down at some of the things we do in our churches.
Do you see tribalism going on around you?
I see churches doing Contemporary and Traditional services to attract different age groups to church. The older members prefer the traditional, while the younger group prefers the contemporary music and service. Whatever it takes to win souls for the Lord!
In my opinion, some things are lost in the translation. The loud music in the contemporary service hurts my ears and I go home with my brain vibrating in my head.
Walk daily with God at your side!
Ed
Good post Larry. This is historically an issue that has ultimately quenched every major move of God’s Spirit among us.
As I see it, the problem is very complicated. Pride, the desire for control, and the push for conformity drives people apart. If people look different, dress differently, or express their faith differently, they tend to be rejected by the religious hierarchy and sometimes by other believers who do not understand them. We feel we have to “set them straight” if they do not believe like, worship like, think like, and behave like we think they should (even if we do not meet those standards ourselves!).
I agree with your emphasis on finding what draws us together in Christ rather than on the things that divide us. Remember when Jesus rebuked his disciples for telling a man to stop casting out demons in Jesus name because he was not one of their group (Mark 9:37-39)?
I spent most of my pastoral life being part of a non-denominational denomination. They prided themselves in not being a denomination only to separate and act like one. pride and arrogance play a big part in the whole thing. Feeling like “we are the only ones right” and only we use the Bible and Bible only leads to more trouble. Yes, there is tribalism. Wonder what Jesus thinks about it and will at the end.