WHAT HAPPENS AFTER UNITY?
This summer we’ve talked a lot about Christian Unity, but what happens after that? If Christian Unity is only part of the journey, what’s the end goal? To help answer these questions I wanted to share a few thoughts.
CELEBRATE OUR DIVERSITY
When we talk about Christian Unity, we should not think of it as Christian Homogeny. A unified Christian faith is still a diverse Christian faith. I’m so thankful for the diversity of our local churches. One church focuses uniquely on Cross-Cultural work (what we used to call foreign missions) while another emphasizes care for the homeless. One church focuses on Rex Putnam while our church serves View Acres. Perhaps another church doesn’t focus on a school at all but a community center, apartment complex or retirement home. There is a wide range of callings, giftings and emphasis for which I am grateful. We should never think ourselves either better or worse because we walk in a different calling or style from another church.
Nor should we think that one style of church is best. Some churches are modern while others are more traditional, some churches express the style of one culutural heritage while others a different style. As the scripture says “(out of) every nation, tribe, people and langue” Jesus will call out his church. (Revelation 7:9)
EMBRACE OUR UNIQUENESS
As much as I believe in Christian Unity and want to see Faith on Hill live in partnership with each other and other churches we also know that God has made us all unique.
There are a lot of different types of people out there and we are a church that will be a home for some and not for others, but there’s a church for everyone out there. It’s great to have larger family get-togethers like we recently at North Clackamas Park, but we understand that part of our role in God’s plan is to be a certain type of church with certain emphasis, styles and doctrine.
WALK FORWARD
Historically, Faith on Hill has had a reputation for being somewhat isolated from other churches in our area. I do not believe that was intentional on anyone’s part and it is certainly not the spirit or attitude that I sense in our church today.
I think the key for us is to walk forward in our commitment to each other as a church family and our core emphasis of style, ministry and doctrine while recognizing that we are part of a much larger family and that Jesus’ church in our area & around the world is much, much larger than just us or are denomination.
BIBLE VERSES TO CONSIDER:
Revelation 7:9-10; Galatians 3:28
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER DURING PRAYER:
1. Lord Jesus, thank you for the wide and diverse group of people who have placed faith in you and become YOUR church!
2. Help me to celebrate the our diversity and our unique calling. Help me to see how I can live more fully in the callings you have given to me and my church family.
3. Holy Spirit, please lead me deeper into the truth and help me see where I am not walking forward in unity so that I might be changed by you and live in your love.