churchesboth

Churchesboth is a neologism that has appeared in online discourse to describe a concept in which a single church or church network aims to embody multiple denominational traditions or worship styles within one community. There is no official definition or widespread use within ecclesiology.

The origin of the term is informal and uncertain; it has circulated in blogs, social media discussions, and commentary about ecumenism and church practices, rather than in academic literature.

In common usages, churchesboth denotes interdenominational or ecumenical arrangements that intentionally blend or accommodate different worship practices, doctrinal emphases, or governance models under one organizational umbrella. It can refer to a single congregation that hosts multiple liturgical styles, or to a network of congregations that share resources while maintaining distinct identities. In some contexts, the term is used critically to question whether such plural arrangements can maintain doctrinal coherence.

Because there is no standard model, incarnations of churchesboth are diverse. They may feature multiple worship services (for example, traditional and contemporary), shared leadership, or joint programs while preserving separate denominational affiliations or independent identities.

As a niche term, churchesboth has limited traction in scholarship and formal church governance; it is primarily encountered in online discourse about church innovation, inclusivity, and ecumenism.

See also ecumenism, interdenominational church, multidenominational worship.