Some Christian groups eschew the word denomination as if it were a dirty word. Let's take a moment and see if this word's vile connotation is indeed deserved.
First, what does the word mean? Here is a common definition: A body of Christians having a distinguishing name
www.innvista.com/culture/religion/diction.htm
Now, even those who say they are not a denomination must admit they have a name, such as "Church of Christ" that fits this definition perfectly. This particular group goes so far as to refuse to fellowship anyone who does not wear this name, thus further reinforcing the fact that this is in itself a mark of a denomination.
For instance, if you examine two groups of Christians and find that both teach exactly the same doctrines, have the same structure, are identical in every way yet one is called Church of Christ and the other Church of God, they will, in all likelihood, refuse to fellowship each other: again the definition of denomination is met to a certainty.
To denominate is simply to name based on a set of distinguishing characteristics, If a group will not fellowship another group because they have denominated themselves in a different way, the practice of denominationalism flourishes.
There is no doubt that for the most part all Christian groups are striving to the same ends. Our disagreements arise, primarily, from practice rather than doctrine. In other words, the form of religion and not its function.
Should we ever reach the point in our spiritual maturation that we can see beyond names and instead see the true intent of different groups we would be surprised to see that we have much more in common than those things about which we differ.
I agree that denominating beyond the parameters of the scripture, in short, church, causes problems. The problems, however, spring from our unwillingness to look beyond the denominational moniker of the groups around us and see that they are filled with good people who are imperfect, living under the law of sin and death, and desperately seeking relief from this condition by seeking a relationship with the one who overcame that law, Jesus Christ.
I contend that "church" is a sufficient description for Christian groups and that denominating, any denomination, leads to division among believers and to division between us and our Savior.
