I never saw so many independent churches in one place before I came here to the Florida panhandle. These church organizations don’t seem to be affiliated with any larger entities, or if they are so affiliated, that affiliation isn’t apparent from their signs.
Why are there so many unaffiliated, independent religious congregations here? I don’t know, but I’m hoping that a knowledgeable friend who reads this blog post might be able to tell me (I’m looking at you, clergypeople).
In an effort to understand the dynamics of this kind or organization, Joe and I watched Robert Duvall’s film, The Apostle, the other night. In it, Robert Duvall plays a charismatic pastor who is ousted from his position and goes on to found a second congregation…and a third, from jail, where he ends up. From the film, I gather that founding an independent church like that takes blazing charisma, iron-hard conviction, hard work…and funding.
Here’s a look at some of the eclectic religious organizations I’ve seen since I’ve been here in Panama City, Florida:
I’m fascinated by this phenomenon, and wish I knew more about the sociological history behind it.