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The Myth that all churches are the same.


Is your church a sect? This question was put to me by a non-Christian colleague not so long ago and was only reminded of it when we met for coffee a few days ago. I think what he was asking was, are we a cult?

But this got me thinking of what exactly is a sect, and is it a bad thing or a good thing? Most Christian churches belong to a grouping of like minded churches often known as a denomination. There is a set tenant of faith and an agreed formula of beliefs. Often the order of service is the same in every church within the grouping with only minor differences. For the most part the leaders and Pastors within the denomination have a loose but coherent relationship. A sect is created when one of the churches within the particular grouping does things that are radically different. This is usually in the area of presentation, not in beliefs or faith. The sect remains within the grouping as a means of credentialing and national recognition.

So what makes a sect a sect? This, in my understanding stems around three areas;

·         A sect guards its boundaries fiercely.

·         A sect demands its members or congregants to be totally committed and involved in church.

·         A sect recognises and demands recognition of its leader's almost too uncomfortable levels.
Boundaries: The sect has a particular way of doing things that has worked for them and has seen success. It is different from what the rest of the denomination does and is seen as stepping out of line, or it is seen as too radical even though it works and does not cross any doctrinal lines. The leaders within the sect rarely get involved in the wider work of the denomination and do not encourage their congregants to stray beyond the lines of the church. The leaders also have no compulsion of asking those who disagree with them to perhaps find a place or other church where they will be happier, thus maintaining the integrity of the boundaries they have set.
Commitment: All members of the congregation are asked to give 100% commitment to the sect and to be totally immersed in all aspects of the church. This can often be to the detriment of family and social life. Your social life is the church. "God, church and then wife and family is the mantra." The desire may appear to be that of trying to transform the community that surrounds it and even society at large, but more often concentrate upon creating satisfying group experience or event. The success of the event is more important than people, though this is never said.
Leadership: There is nothing wrong with loving your leaders or respecting them, however the constant demand to honour leadership is wrong. The over emphasis that those who attain leadership positions within the congregation and the wider clique of leadership within the church are to be honured are often two key factors within the sect. For example the request that congregations stand and clap and cheer whenever the leader stands to preach or any other leader for that matter, almost too uncomfortable levels is often seen within sects, but never seen in the early church.
Three simple areas that define a sect. Is my church a sect, short answer for my friend is Yes, but it still preachers Jesus and the gospel message and is seeing people won for Christ, more so than  the old dilapidated denomination it belongs to. So I will stay where I am for the moment and be a thinking thorn in the side of my leadership.




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