30,000 Denominations

marks said:

I question this claim I've heard repeated over and over. Some say as many as 45,000 denominations.

Who counted them? Based on what distinctives? I think it's a crock, a phony number to sensationalize the issue. Is the difference between SB Denom 1 and SB Denom 2 that the restrooms are on the other side of the lobby?

Does anyone have any insight that would show this to be a real number? I don't think it is. I think it's made up.

Much love!

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Its based on the "SGC"... The Center for the Study of Global Christianity

• """"""""" The SGC defines denominations as organized groups of congregations within a country that share a similar ecclesiastical tradition.
• Counting Method:
  They count denominations at the national level, recognizing that the presence of a Catholic Church in a country, for example, can be considered a denomination, though it can be further subdivided by rite.
• Independent Congregations:
  The SGC also includes independent congregations that are not part of any denomination, especially if they form an independent network.

The SGC's methodology, which is the basis for the 45,000 figure, has been used in previous editions of the World Christian Database and has led to estimations of around 20,000, 33,000, and 45,000 denominations over time.

Important Note: The SGC's methodology for counting denominations is not universally accepted, and some argue that it skews the numbers due to how denominations are defined and measured at the country level. """""""

marks said:

I question this claim I've heard repeated over and over. Some say as many as 45,000 denominations.

Who counted them? Based on what distinctives? I think it's a crock, a phony number to sensationalize the issue. Is the difference between SB Denom 1 and SB Denom 2 that the restrooms are on the other side of the lobby?

Does anyone have any insight that would show this to be a real number? I don't think it is. I think it's made up.

Much love!

Click to expand...

It's not a made up number. It's what comes when people think they can decide what Scripture says. I have known a Christian family for almost 30 years now and I can't tell you how many times they have changed churches because they didn't agree with the pastors interpretations of Scripture.

marks said:

When I say "made up" what I really mean is that I think the ones counting use arbitrary distinctions to create an artificially high number.

Every pastor will have some interpretation different from the others, I don't believe any are in full lockstep with others on all doctrines and interpretations. So if that is the method for counting, why not as many as are churches?

Much love!

Click to expand...

I don't really care how many denominations there are the point I'm making is finding a church with a message you like isn't faith its shopping. There could be a message we don't like but maybe it's a message we need to hear but if we bail because we don't like the message then something very important is lost.

Some people even in Jesus day didn't like his message so left his company. Not a brilliant move.

When men are disobedient to revealed truth, they invent a different "truth". Hence, division. This isn't rocket surgery.