Liberal Denominations

[RileyG]

I thought I would post this to keep track of liberal denominations to those who are interested:

In no particular order

1. Lutheran Church- ELCA
2. The United Methodist Church- UMC
3. The United Church of Christ- UCC
4. Christian Church- Disciples of Christ- DofC
5. American Baptist Church- ABC-USA
6. The Episcopal Church- TEC
7. Presbyterian Church USA- PCUSA
8. Metropolitan Community Church- MCC
9. Ecumenical Catholic Communion- ECC
10. Community of Christ (LDS offshoot/Trinitarian)
11. Society of Friends (Quakers)
12. United Church of Canada
13. Old Catholic Church
14. Evangelical Catholic Church
15. American National Catholic Church
16. Reformed Church in America
17. Moravian Church
18. Antiochian Catholic Church in America
19. *some Evangelical Covenant Church congregations

Those who are not considered Christian per CF rules: Unitarian Universalists, Unity Church.

Feel free to add to accumulate more

 

[okay]

When I was looking for a new church last year your list would have been helpful, and after doing my own research found that I was pretty much exclusively looking at churches in the denominations you list. I was also 'leaving' a church from one of the denominations on the list, although primarily because of proximity issues - it was too far from home for me to be fully engaged.

By the way, you may have overlooked the Disciples of Christ.

Regarding #19, you are correct of course that there are some ECC congregations that lean liberal. However, although the ECC tends to be extremely hands-off in most areas of faith and practice, they will kick a congregation out of the denomination if they perform a same-sex wedding. This has been demonstrated a number of times over the past handful of years. So the most liberal congregations will eventually end up leaving by choice or by force. Here in New England we have a number of the more liberal congregations (at least one of which is pretty fantastic), but none are close-enough to where I live.

 

[FireDragon76]

The Christian Reformed Church (Dutch Reformed) are currently having infighting over homosexuality. Many white congregations in the denomination approve of allowing same sex couples to participate fully in their churches, but a large number of Asians and Latino congregations that disapprove, as well as some older white members. The main seminary of the denomination, Calvin College, is full of quiet pro-LGBT sentiments and presents a mostly tolerant atmosphere for LGBT persons, and many of the thought leaders and academics in this denomination (like Kristin du Mez) are highly critical of evangelical fundamentalism and so-called "Christian nationalism".

Personally, I wouldn't define a church as liberal or conservative on this topic alone. You need to look at their biblical hermeneutics. There are a fair number of younger evangelicals who are otherwise theologically conservative now, who favor full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Church.

 

[FireDragon76]

When I was looking for a new church last year your list would have been helpful, and after doing my own research found that I was pretty much exclusively looking at churches in the denominations you list. I was also 'leaving' a church from one of the denominations on the list, although primarily because of proximity issues - it was too far from home for me to be fully engaged.

By the way, you may have overlooked the Disciples of Christ.

Regarding #19, you are correct of course that there are some ECC congregations that lean liberal. However, although the ECC tends to be extremely hands-off in most areas of faith and practice, they will kick a congregation out of the denomination if they perform a same-sex wedding. This has been demonstrated a number of times over the past handful of years. So the most liberal congregations will eventually end up leaving by choice or by force. Here in New England we have a number of the more liberal congregations (at least one of which is pretty fantastic), but none are close-enough to where I live.

The Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ are the safest denominations if you are looking for a pro-LGBT congregation, though there are exceptions in those denominations, they are rare in New England. PC-USA and ELCA are really going to depend alot on the particular congregation, and where in the country you live.

Thet congregation I left in the ELCA wasn't exactly openly affirming, but it was highly tolerant. I left for other reasons unrelated to LGBT issues.

 

[RileyG]

The Christian Reformed Church (Dutch Reformed) are currently having infighting over homosexuality. Many white congregations in the denomination approve of allowing same sex couples to participate fully in their churches, but a large number of Asians and Latino congregations that disapprove, as well as some older white members. The main seminary of the denomination, Calvin College, is full of quiet pro-LGBT sentiments and presents a mostly tolerant atmosphere for LGBT persons, and many of the thought leaders and academics in this denomination (like Kristin du Mez) are highly critical of evangelical fundamentalism and so-called "Christian nationalism".

Personally, I wouldn't define a church as liberal or conservative on this topic alone. You need to look at their biblical hermeneutics. There are a fair number of younger evangelicals who are otherwise theologically conservative now, who favor full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Church.

The Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ are the safest denominations if you are looking for a pro-LGBT congregation, though there are exceptions in those denominations, they are rare in New England. PC-USA and ELCA are really going to depend alot on the particular congregation, and where in the country you live.

Thet congregation I left in the ELCA wasn't exactly openly affirming, but it was highly tolerant. I left for other reasons unrelated to LGBT issues.

Thank you for your insight and knowledge!

Take care!

 

[RileyG]

The Christian Reformed Church (Dutch Reformed) are currently having infighting over homosexuality. Many white congregations in the denomination approve of allowing same sex couples to participate fully in their churches, but a large number of Asians and Latino congregations that disapprove, as well as some older white members. The main seminary of the denomination, Calvin College, is full of quiet pro-LGBT sentiments and presents a mostly tolerant atmosphere for LGBT persons, and many of the thought leaders and academics in this denomination (like Kristin du Mez) are highly critical of evangelical fundamentalism and so-called "Christian nationalism".

Personally, I wouldn't define a church as liberal or conservative on this topic alone. You need to look at their biblical hermeneutics. There are a fair number of younger evangelicals who are otherwise theologically conservative now, who favor full inclusion of LGBT persons in the Church.

That's quite interesting.

I know a college acquaintance (I cannot exactly call her a friend) who mother joined the American Reformed Church, but was originally Catholic. Her first husband had an accident and TBI. My college acquaintance made her first Communion, but after her mother divorced her father and married her step-father, the family joined the American Reformed Church. Per her mother's comments, she prayed for the dead, and still liked the rosary.

That same college acquaintance later became Catholic when she married another college acquaintance who is a lifelong Catholic (I cannot exactly call him a friend) we knew.

(we went to a very small Catholic college. Everyone knew everyone. If that makes sense)

That college acquaintance, the woman, was fairly liberal in her politics. She is a fully practicing Catholic as far as I know.

 

[RileyG]

The Episcopal Church or the United Church of Christ are the safest denominations if you are looking for a pro-LGBT congregation, though there are exceptions in those denominations, they are rare in New England. PC-USA and ELCA are really going to depend alot on the particular congregation, and where in the country you live.

Thet congregation I left in the ELCA wasn't exactly openly affirming, but it was highly tolerant. I left for other reasons unrelated to LGBT issues.

I have zero idea if the Metropolitan Community Church can be considered a denomination. I know they are (relatively) small in number. There is one in Omaha I know of, but none in my city.
I know they CAN be considered very high Church and apparently have a high views for the Sacrament and celebrate the Eucharist weekly. Maybe some Episcopalians would like them for their liturgy?
Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[FireDragon76]

I have zero idea if the Metropolitan Community Church can be considered a denomination.

Yes, certainly it is a denomination. They have a denominational structure and their own ordination system.

I know they are (relatively) small in number. There is one in Omaha I know of, but none in my city.

The preaching in Orlando is really good; the pastor is amazing. She's very passionate in her preaching, which I think is a good thing, and there's alot of love in that church that could help people that are often very damaged by some highly toxic religious teachings (it's not exactly prosperity gospel stuff, but it's a message of personal empowerment, with a surprising amount of focus on overcoming spiritual struggle and sin... whereas in the UCC, it's more like a corporate rather than individual focus). I've thought about visiting there sometimes more often, though the worship style isn't really my thing (it's mostly contemporary Black Gospel/soul music, since the keyboardist comes from that background. Beautiful in its own way, but I can't sing or follow along with it).

Also, people might be surprised to learn but alot but alot of the MCC is Pentecostal or Charismatic (the founder of the MCC was a Pentecostal, in fact). Theologically, I have alot of issues with Pentecostalism, but it's mostly about aesthetics I suppose.

I know they CAN be considered very high Church and apparently have a high views for the Sacrament and celebrate the Eucharist weekly. Maybe some Episcopalians would like them for their liturgy?
Correct me if I'm wrong.

It varies a great deal, and isn't consistent from congregation to congregation . Mostly I would say no, they aren't high church in the least bit. When we visited the pastor seemed to have a typical Evangelical interpretation of the sacrament, as a memorial or pledge of God's love. Which I think is not wrong, but incomplete.

I can appreciate a service that isn't High Church, though. I've undergone alot of spiritual growth I suppose . It just depends. If the preaching is accurate, responsive, and timely, then that makes up for alot of other misgivings. The communion at Joy MCC was one of the most beautiful I have participated in, despite the fact it was presented in a low church setting and with low church theology (complete with grape juice and crackers in individual cups), there was something special there happening. The pastor's anaphora and anamensis around the sacrament had a certain sincerity and power to it that I don't always encounter in a "paint by the numbers" smells and bells approach.

 

[RileyG]

I must ask...

@FireDragon76 I am forever AMAZED by your immense knowledge about many, many subjects.

How on earth do you remember it all?

Do you spend countless hours studying various subjects?

It just blows my mind!

 

[FireDragon76]

That's quite interesting.

I know a college acquaintance (I cannot exactly call her a friend) who mother joined the American Reformed Church, but was originally Catholic. Her first husband had an accident and TBI. My college acquaintance made her first Communion, but after her mother divorced her father and married her step-father, the family joined the American Reformed Church. Per her mother's comments, she prayed for the dead, and still liked the rosary.

I think there's less antipathy to Catholicism among many mainline and mainline adjacent Protestants. We have our own Ash Wednesday service now days, whereas classical Puritans would have rejected it outright, even among the less austere Continental Reformed tradition, and our church calendar is similar to Catholics now days.

We have a friend in our congregation that was raised Jewish and still identifies as a Jew (she's also part Irish-American, always an intereting combination)., and praying for the dead is part of her private spirituality. Nobody judges her. She is somebody that seems spiritually gifted or sensitive, and even though she was raised an agnostic Jew, had some kind of private religious experience that made her accept Christianity.

 

[RileyG]

Yes, certainly it is a denomination. They have a denominational structure and their own ordination system.



The preaching in Orlando is really good; the pastor is amazing. She's very passionate in her preaching, which I think is a good thing, and there's alot of love in that church that could help people that are often very damaged by some highly toxic religious teachings (it's not exactly prosperity gospel stuff, but it's a message of personal empowerment, with a surprising amount of focus on overcoming spiritual struggle and sin... whereas in the UCC, it's more like a corporate rather than individual focus). I've thought about visiting there sometimes more often, though the worship style isn't really my thing (it's mostly contemporary Black Gospel/soul music, since the keyboardist comes from that background. Beautiful in its own way, but I can't sing or follow along with it).

Also, people might be surprised to learn but alot but alot of the MCC is Pentecostal or Charismatic (the founder of the MCC was a Pentecostal, in fact). Theologically, I have alot of issues with Pentecostalism, but it's mostly about aesthetics I suppose.



It varies a great deal, and isn't consistent from congregation to congregation . Mostly I would say no, they aren't high church in the least bit. When we visited the pastor seemed to have a typical Evangelical interpretation of the sacrament, as a memorial or pledge of God's love. Which I think is not wrong, but incomplete.

I can appreciate a service that isn't High Church, though. I've undergone alot of spiritual growth I suppose . It just depends. If the preaching is accurate, responsive, and timely, then that makes up for alot of other misgivings. The communion at Joy MCC was one of the most beautiful I have participated in, despite the fact it was presented in a low church setting and with low church theology (complete with grape juice and crackers in individual cups), there was something special there happening. The pastor's anaphora and anamensis around the sacrament had a certain sincerity and power to it that I don't always encounter in a "paint by the numbers" smells and bells approach.

Thank you much for your insight! It is appreciated!

 

[RileyG]

I think there's less antipathy to Catholicism among many mainline and mainline adjacent Protestants. We have our own Ash Wednesday service now days, whereas classical Puritans would have rejected it outright, even among the less austere Continental Reformed tradition, and our church calendar is similar to Catholics now days.

We have a friend in our congregation that was raised Jewish and still identifies as a Jew (she's also part Irish-American, always an intereting combination)., and praying for the dead is part of her private spirituality. Nobody judges her. She is somebody that seems spiritually gifted or sensitive, and even though she was raised an agnostic Jew, had some kind of private religious experience that made her accept Christianity.

It's my understanding the United Church of Christ does not practice Ash Wednesday, but various Presbyterian and Reformed traditions do?

Again, thanks much for your insight!

 

[FireDragon76]

I must ask...

@FireDragon76 I am forever AMAZED by your immense knowledge about many, many subjects.

How on earth do you remember it all?

Do you spend countless hours studying various subjects?

It just blows my mind!

When I was younger I had a photographic memory.

At one time in my life, I was discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I studied alot of theology, but I wasn't raised in a tradition where that would have been a clear cut path. I don't find the mold of "pastor" in the usual mainline Protestant sense . My Enneagram type is completely wrong for being a people pleaser. Besides being an adult with high functioning autism and just approaching life from a very odd angle. I've got more in common with Dostoyevsky, I am an artist, romantic, or solitary mystic, not the head of God's human relations department, it would seem.

Our pastor on the other hand, she's a completely diffferent personality type and more typical of mainline Protestant pastors. She's a natural extravert and light on intellectualism, in comparison to me. But I think she's a mature personality, too, and has had to learn to grow to fill the role.

 

[FireDragon76]

It's my understanding the United Church of Christ does not practice Ash Wednesday, but various Presbyterian and Reformed traditions do?

Again, thanks much for your insight!

Oh, many of our congregations do in fact practice Ash Wednesday. Our service is actually very nice and is fairly popular with the regulars.

 

[RileyG]

When I was younger I had a photographic memory.

At one time in my life, I was discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I studied alot of theology, but I wasn't raised in a tradition where that would have been a clear cut path. I don't find the mold of "pastor" in the usual mainline Protestant sense . My Enneagram type is completely wrong for being a people pleaser. Besides being an adult with high functioning autism and just approaching life from a very odd angle. I've got more in common with Dostoyevsky, I am an artist, romantic, or solitary mystic, not the head of God's human relations department, it would seem.

Our pastor on the other hand, she's a completely diffferent personality type and more typical of mainline Protestant pastors. She's a natural extravert and light on intellectualism, in comparison to me. But I think she's a mature personality, too, and has had to learn to grow to fill the role.

If it's ok to ask, by vocation to the priesthood, do you mean the Episcopal Church?

 

[RileyG]

Oh, many of our congregations do in fact practice Ash Wednesday. Our service is actually very nice and is fairly popular with the regulars.

Thank you much!

I do have a UCC prayerbook, and it states that the UCC does not typically practice Ash Wednesday.

I've only attended the Catholic Mass 99.9% of my life, so I cannot speak for ANY Protestants.

God bless

 

[FireDragon76]

If it's ok to ask, by vocation to the priesthood, do you mean the Episcopal Church?

Yes... or even the Orthodox Church. I was involved with that for a while. But I was one of those folks that asked alot of questions, and in the end, we had to part ways. I rather not dwell on it too much. There is a part of me that is an eastern mystic, even still, though, and I do appreciate the Cappodocian fathers in particular, as well as St. John Chrysostom.

I wanted my patron saint to be St. Maria of Paris, but my priest wasn't thrilled with that idea. I think there was an expectation your patron saint be the same gender as you, and you be called by your "saint" name at Communion. Would have been awkward for sure...

 

[RileyG]

When I was younger I had a photographic memory.

At one time in my life, I was discerning a vocation to the priesthood and I studied alot of theology, but I wasn't raised in a tradition where that would have been a clear cut path. I don't find the mold of "pastor" in the usual mainline Protestant sense . My Enneagram type is completely wrong for being a people pleaser. Besides being an adult with high functioning autism and just approaching life from a very odd angle. I've got more in common with Dostoyevsky, I am an artist, romantic, or solitary mystic, not the head of God's human relations department, it would seem.

Our pastor on the other hand, she's a completely diffferent personality type and more typical of mainline Protestant pastors. She's a natural extravert and light on intellectualism, in comparison to me. But I think she's a mature personality, too, and has had to learn to grow to fill the role.

Without rambling on, I did have a clinical psychologist who thought I had autism when I was 14 (more than half a lifetime ago), and other psychiatrists and mental health counselors said I did NOT have autism but rather depression with anxiety.

It's been a struggle.

I hope life is treating you well.

 

[RileyG]

Yes... or even the Orthodox Church. I was involved with that for a while. But I was one of those folks that asked alot of questions, and in the end, we had to part ways. I rather not dwell on it too much. There is a part of me that is an eastern mystic, even still, though, and I do appreciate the Cappodocian fathers in particular, as well as St. John Chrysostom.

I wanted my patron saint to be St. Maria of Paris, but my priest wasn't thrilled with that idea. I think there was an expectation your patron saint be the same gender as you, and you be called by your "saint" name. Would have been awkward for sure...

Thank you for your answer.

I am a lifelong Catholic who knows only about SOME Orthodox Saints.

I know nothing about St. Maria of Paris.

Take care

 

[FireDragon76]

Thank you for your answer.

I am a lifelong Catholic who knows only about SOME Orthodox Saints.

I know nothing about St. Maria of Paris.

Take care

Maria of Paris was an amazing modern saint, but she was also a profound orthodox theologian. Both her and Dietrich Bonhoeffer shape my understanding of the Christian life a great deal.

Maria Skobtsova was a Russian noblewoman that became an atheist after losing her mother at a young age, then a communist, but she became fascinated by the suffering of Christ, divorced her husband (with her bishops permission), and became a nun. She was a strange orthodox nun, though. A cigarette smoking nun that spent more time on social justice and helping her neighbors than at prayer at times, and some people were upset with her because of that. Then she moved with Russian liberal refugees to Paris and ended up in WWII. She helped Jews obtain false baptismal certificates to flee France, and she even helped smuggle children out of Paris one night in baskets. She and her spiritual father were eventually caught by the Gestapo, and she was sent to Ravensbruck camp. She would repeatedly draw icons of the crucified Christ, only to have guards destroy them. It is rumored she died in the place of another prisoner. She is regarded as a holy new martyr in the Orthodox Church.

She wrote alot about what love should compel us to do as Christians. Unlike many Russians at the time she lived, she held a respect for the Jewish people rooted in her own spirituality of devotion to the Mother of God. Her idea of "contemplation" wasn't based on interiority, but on looking outward in devotion towards the icon of Christ in ones neighbor, and she wrote at some length about this kind of unique Orthodox monastic spirituality she developed. She is usually portrayed in her icons holding a cross and the phrase "Love to the end, and without exception". Her father told her that once when she was younger as the path to salvation. My favorite qupote of her's, though, is "The cross our neighbor carries must be a sword that pierces our own heart as well."