\u201cDenominationalism is not dead but, increasingly, it\u2019s only one of several options for organizing the church in America,\u201d\u009d explained Baptist historian Bill Leonard, the James and Marilyn Dunn Professor of Baptist Studies and professor of church history at Wake Forest School of Divinity.<\/p>\n
Increasing pluralism in the United States and the decreasing influence of Protestantism are forcing denominational leaders to ask hard questions about identity, viability and relevance.<\/p>\n
Pluralism, \u201cwhich Baptists helped put into place,\u201d\u009d is becoming more normative, Leonard said. The rise of the \u201cnones\u201d\u009d\u201d\u201dpeople with no connection to organized religion\u201d\u201d also plays into the challenges denominations face.<\/p>\n
Gone are the days when communities formulated policy and activities around the church. \u201cWe are living through the death rattle of the Protestant privilege,\u201d\u009d Leonard said.<\/p>\n