“To the younger Christians who don’t have much denominational loyalty and who don’t fully appreciate or understand the history and depth of our denominational differences, do our unity efforts with the ‘4 Midland’ churches mean anything?”
I asked this question out loud at our GCR Church staff meeting Monday morning, less than 14-hours after the conclusion of our second annual “4 Midland” Thanksgiving Service. I asked it again during a de-briefing and wrap-up of the service on our GCR Podcast.
Of the more than 700 people in attendance at Sunday’s combined assembly, it seemed that many more of them were in their 50s and older. There weren’t too many families there with school-aged children. Not too many folks in their 30s and 40s. The energy in the room was beautiful. The singing was inspirational. The fellowship was welcoming and warm. Steve Brooks’ message was powerful. For people my age and older, it is unquestionably a BIG DEAL when First Baptist, First Methodist, First Presbyterian, and the Church of Christ get together to do anything. But when we lay aside our denominational and doctrinal differences to experience and express the visible and physical unity we share in Christ by worshiping together in each other’s spaces, it’s HUGE!
But does it matter to people younger than me?
Does it matter that four congregations of Christians representing four distinct denominations with four different views and practices in important areas like baptism and communion and ordination and church polity are setting those differences aside to worship God with one heart and one voice? Does it matter that these four churches are making a public stand for the unity of all who call on the name of the Lord over their own denominational traditions? Does it matter that these churches are choosing love and grace over opinion and position in very public ways?
Yes, it matters. Of course, it matters. We know it matters. But does it matter to people younger than me?
I believe it does. You’re not surprised by that. But let me explain.
Our society and all the world’s powers are singularly focused on dividing us–all of us. Our culture is bent on pointing out our differences, accentuating them, and demanding that we divide over them. Everything in the world points to that. Thrives on that. Makes money off that. Division is what drives our country’s politics, it’s what fuels the planet’s largest digital technology companies. it’s what makes the whole world roll. Our world demands that you take an immediate position on every single issue and never waver. Plant your flag immediately and loudly, draw your line, dig in, and never give in. Compromise is a dirty word in our culture.
Where else on this globe are people ever going to experience a coming together in mutual love and respect of folks with different viewpoints and opinions? Where else in this world will people ever see modeled a laying down of individual rights and group practices for the sake of dignity and charity and grace for people with differing backgrounds and beliefs?
There is only one place. The Church is the only place.
That’s why it matters. If nothing else, the younger among us who are disgusted by all the arguing and fighting need to know that this kind of division is the default in our society now. Separating into our individual bubbles of belief to throw rocks at everybody who is not inside our bubbles is how things are now. And God’s Church must be the model for a different way. The Church is the only place, the only people, the only system of beliefs and values, that can practice unity and love across political, racial, economic, gender, and geographical lines.
The only place.
That’s why it matters. To everybody.
That’s why it must be guarded fiercely, practiced frequently, and celebrated always. It can’t be blown off or taken for granted; it can’t be ignored or dismissed because, in our culture today, it wouldn’t take much to blow it up. It wouldn’t take much to lose it.
And then there would be no place.
That’s why it matters. To everybody.
Peace,
Allan
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