THERE is beauty in variety but when variety is viewed as ‘differences’, the beauty may be marred by judgement and criticism. Take denominational differences, for example. We bicker over worship style, prayer form, and other non-essential matters such as who our heroes or heroines are. Differences then lead to disunity.
How can we regain church unity without erasing the differences? Study church history¾opined Pastor Key Yuasa, Vice-Chairman of World Evangelical Fellowship (WEF). “By studying how the different denominations come about, and their achievements and failures throughout their history, we can then appreciate and understand each other better. Understanding church history and the different denominational backgrounds helps us Christians in this generation to appreciate and accept other brothers and sisters who started out in different times and different places,” Yuasa said in an interview with Berita NECF.
There are many images of the Church in the Bible and each denomination reflects an image, Yuasa added. He quoted the three main historic images that have been studied by Leslie Nubigin of Scotland:
· Catholic church image (monastic community lifestyle);
· Congregational image¾the classic Protestant view. There are two types of congregation styles under this image. Firstly, the Superior-led congregation has a leader ruling over the congregation. Secondly, the Word-based congregation is the classic Protestant model where the Church is ruled and reformed by the Word.
· Pentecostal image.
Yuasa stressed that all the images are biblical and authentic and therefore, we must accept and appreciate those living under the images. For example, people are bewildered by the phenomenal growth in many Pentecostal groups today. “Though it has its shortcomings, we must realise that its teaching (the Body is the temple of the Holy Spirit) is a biblical and legitimate one,” he advised.
But even before considering church history, the Holy Spirit must be at work in our midst, stirring our hearts to love one another for God’s love is the perfect bond of unity, Yuasa said. “When you have this love in your hearts, you can accept and relate to any Christian who is different from you,” he added.
Yuasa was in Kuala Lumpur recently to attend a planning meeting for the 11th WEF General Assembly which will be held here next May. He is also the Vice-President of the Brazilian Evangelical Association and President of the Holiness Church in Brazil.
During his stay here, he also visited the 24-hour Prayer Tower, a combined churches’ effort. He commented that the ministry is a “fantastic symbol of unity that is an example for many evangelical churches elsewhere”. |
