The fall and rise of denominations

Outreach Magazine publishes an annual list of the largest and fastest growing churhes in the United States. It's no surprise to church watchers that the vast majority of the churches on this list are not affiliated with a denomination. It's probably also no surprise that many of the churches are multi-site churches (worshipping in more than one location). Eleven of the 100 largest churches are multi-site churches and an amazing 47 of the 100 fastest growing churches are multi-site. Seacoast has 10 sites and Lifechurch.TV has 11.

So it makes me wonder, what's the difference between a church with 10 or 11 worship sites and an early John Wesley travelling from place to place preaching? Is the "multi-site movement" with a handful of charismatic and inspiring preachers any different than the early Methodists (or many other denominations) that began as movements before turning into institutions? How interesting that while many non-denominational churches (and many within denominations) criticize denominations as institutional and having lost relevance multi-site churches are building quasi-denominations to take their place.

Perhaps a better example is the Willow Creek Association. The Willow Creek Association formed in 1992 "in response to a fresh movement of God’s Spirit in the work of the local church." Now there are more than 12,000 member churches. WCA is not a denomination, but they do have a statement of faith that member churches are required to agree with. Seems to me like the beginnings of a denomination...

I agree with many that we are in the midst of an important moment in church history. Many denominations will not exist 50 years from now. But it seems more likely to me that those denominations will be replaced by new denominations like WCA, Seacoast, and Lifechurch.tv than that denominations will go away entirely.