In Episode 3: Church and Competition, Wayne and I tossed around a few numbers as we estimated and hypothesized how many Christian denominations there are. Depending on how you are counting, the number can span anywhere from 300-30,000. This helpful article from National Catholic helps explain the conflicting data.
The World Christian Encyclopedia says “World Christianity consists of 6 major ecclesiastico-cultural blocs, divided into 300 major ecclesiastical traditions, composed [sic] of over 33,000 distinct denominations in 238 countries (Vol. I, p. 16).”
Also, as some of you picked up in podcast episode 3, there were probably some mixed signals sent. One listener pointed out that we were sort of sounding anti-institution toward the beginning, but then seemed to advocate for the benefits of “church life” in Christian schools (an institution with potentially more oversight and bureaucracy than local churches). As we wrestle with some of these topics, one of our main motives is to get thoughts brewing, and to open cans of worms that perhaps have remained sealed on the shelf too long. So please, help us continue the conversation and keep sending us your thoughts and feedback (commenting on the website, tweeting, or Facebook). We need your brains to sort out this muddled can of worms!
Author: Christopher Seals
Christopher Seals has been teaching Bible in a Christian School setting for 5 years, and has worked in youth and young adult ministry for 16 years. He has lived through Christian Junior High through grad school. Chris is fascinated with new ideas, difficult theological conversations, scientific discovery, and the mystical facets of Christianity. He loves good food, reading novels, friendly games of soccer, and dance parties with his family. He holds a B.A. from Azusa Pacific University in Biblical Studies and Spanish and an M.A. from Fresno Pacific in Curriculum and Teaching.