There are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. ~ 1 Cor 12:6 (ESV)
Built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God ~ Eph 4: 12
Scanning across Silicon Valley, my heart yearns for an increased unity among the many Christ following fellowships of believers (what we normally call churches), who together make the Church of Jesus.
In more than a few conversations, I have heard the word ‘stream’ used as a way to differentiate a particular fellowship for others. Examples include,
- “Our stream is focused on prayer before the throne”
- “Our worship is the new stream from the Holy Spirit, we are leading the way….”
- “We are neo-reformed teachers, a stream of ….”
At times, this stress on the new distinctions comes at the price of communication a separateness, a ‘we are different’ tone that erodes the unity among believers. Words matter, and many times the emphasis is on the distinctions between us, instead of the unifying bonds in the Spirit that make us One in Christ.
In heaven there is one banquet table for us all. Not one for the charismatics, another for the reformists. There isn’t one table for the hymn singers and Psalm readers, and another for the dancers and flag wavers. If we are going to fellowship with each other in heaven, eternally joined in the presence of Christ, why don’t we learn to love, fellowship and commune with each other here on earth!
If we can’t bless the brothers and sisters from the church down the street, are we really equipped with love and insight to bless the nations?
Jesus gave us a command, ‘To love one another”, John 13:34. John in a letter to the churches, reminded the readers that the world would sees God when we love each other (1 John 4:12). Yet at times we communicate to the world that we can’t stand each other.
If we are honest, and look deeply at ourselves, and in the fellowships we are a part of, there are at times dismissive attitudes that pop up regarding other groups.
- I am glad I am not like that anymore, stuck in my chair, Bible on my lap …
- At least I don’t get carried away with senseless emotion like that person …
- They don’t serve the poor and downtrodden like we do …
- We heard what God is doing next, but they missed it …
We need to watch out! The Pharisee in Luke 18 was the one saying he was glad he was not like that other guy. We need to be very careful not to let a similar mindset creep in. It destroys unity among believers, hindering cooperation among the fellowships of Christ.
The goal is UNITY, not uniformity.
Now, I am not saying the goal is for all the churches to merge into one mega church, or one massively distributed house church movement, or anything of the sorts. I am not looking for one universal worship culture to arise. The goal is for each fellowship to recognize they are member, a distinct, unique member, of a much larger entity, which is Christ’s church in this region. When our gaze is raised from ‘what is my church doing?’ to ‘what is God doing through His church, and how do we fit it?’, we are much closer to both understanding God’s purposes for a city, and to having unity with our sisters and brothers in other fellowships.
A variety of activities, or works, but the same one God. Various members of one body, each distinct in their working, but joined together as one body, one Church.
Let’s gather together, different in parts, but of one mind, for Christ is the Head.
Let’s gather together, from differing streams, but manifestations of One Holy Spirit.
Let’s gather together, many children, but of One Father.
