The call for Christian unity seems to be a top agenda in most Christian circles. There is a great yearning of God’s people to break barriers within or around and to seek to work together in unity. Christian leaders can subconsciously, in seeking to protect their interests, distinctiveness or identity, be separated by individualism or be torn apart by doctrinal differences and internal dissension. This affects the integrity of their calling to be God’s revelation to the world and jeopardises their efforts to convey the reality of peace and love to a sceptical world.
The evangelicals are constantly plagued with theological disagreements and suspicion, and positions tend to be held with quite a lot of ill-feeling. At worst, we consider one another to be unbiblical, narrow-minded, unspiritual and even heretical. There is this attitude of “unholy alliance” that hinders cooperation and working together.
The attitude of so many Christians is that unless something represents our views, or conforms to our position, it is to be rejected. We seek to hide behind our own denominations or labels. We seem to think that by tying a certain label around us, we can define ourselves. Labels can be dangerous; they always fall short of what they intend to do. Some of us, who have been damaged by their careless use by others, must in Christian charity also be careful how we use them.
Even though we share a common goal of Church ministry and mission, many of us continue to minister from a platform of isolation. There is a great sense of separation and this subconsciously develops a barrier within and around our ministries. We are unable to listen to others and are divided from one another by resentment and inhibitions.
The cause of such separation or isolation is often the strong and gifted leaders who are not always good at working with those who have a slightly different vision. Those who are more established and developed can subconsciously become superior and domineering in their attitude. They relate mainly within their own structure and set-up, eventually retreating into their own particular ghetto.
Church leaders have tended to be caught up with their own congregations; the more radically independent groups have “done their own thing” without reference to anyone else, particularly if they have a strong doctrinal or financial axe to grind. We tend to be very ignorant about one another’s ways of thinking and acting, and this leads to prejudice.
Deep in the heart of individualism and isolation is the sin of pride. We are usually convinced that our way is the best. This is particularly the case if we are deeply entrenched in our self-centredness.
The psalmist speaks warmly of believers living together in unity (Ps. 133:1–3), and Jesus prayed that His disciples shall be one as He and the Father are one (Jn. 17:21-23). The prayer was for unity among believers. The unity for which Christ prayed was not a matter of external church union. Rather it was a unity based on common moral likeness. He was praying that believers might be one in exhibiting the character of God and of Christ. This is what would cause the world to believe that God had sent Him. This is the unity which makes the world say, “I see Christ in those Christians as the Father was seen in Christ.”
We are to witness to all that God is and our expectation is that in every place God will raise up the Body of Christ to be this witness. Individual witnesses have their place, but the power of corporate witness is so much greater as the life of Christ is shared and flows out. When “the presence” begins to live and act as a body, people will begin to take notice. Thus Christian unity is essential to bring forth the Christian witness and integrity of our calling to be God’s revelation to the world.
Undoubtedly, this shared experience of the unity of Christ through the power and love of the Holy Spirit can have the effect of drawing together Christians of widely differing denominations and traditions in an unusually powerful way.
Many are misinformed about one another’s intentions,
and when they hear the facts they
become much more gracious and accepting
The different churches need to develop a corporate sense of identity – the Body of Christ universal, a sense of belonging and caring for one another, and an openness to one another and to the Holy Spirit. We are to learn together to open up to the Lord the things that hinder openness and oneness, to confess these things and to claim together the cleansing of the Lord. Out of this pursuit a common vision shall emerge, for a body of people growing together, sharing together, bearing one another’s burden, loving one another in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Churches that find their
humility tested to the utmost
are those that really are getting
somewhere spiritually
In order to improve working relationships among different churches, it is vitally important, first, that we get to know one another. I believe that we should take every opportunity to meet together, to engage in dialogue with one another, and to courteously put forward a truly biblical form of Christianity. This is not easy, as we move in very different constituencies. But that’s all the more reason why we should make the effort!
Then, as we begin to know one another, we will sense the Lord’s presence in the Body of Christ and are enabled to share in prayer and worship together. Other possibilities would be the exchange of pulpit ministry, speaking at pastors’ meetings, etc.
Next, we should be prepared to communicate openly with members of other churches or denominations. If we are church leaders, we should make an effort to go to the pastors’ fellowship meetings. We should be prepared to listen, ask questions, look ignorant, and be vulnerable to others’ probing questions. Many are misinformed about one another’s intentions, and when they hear the facts they become much more gracious and accepting. We have to learn to step outside mainstream church life. But whether people are accepting or not, we have to learn to take the criticism meekly, knowing that in doing so we are sharing in the vulnerability of Christ himself. Any Christian could find himself in a similar position. We can either react self-defensively or with an openness that is in fact the only way to a greater depth of reality.
Depth of commitment and fellowship is not reached easily. It takes time, prayer and patience. The leadership of pastors of different churches needs to recognize its value and be determined to participate. Only then will the separation or isolation mentality fade away, and in its place some steps will have been taken towards integrating everyone into a caring family of God.
Finally, we need to learn humility. In our search for unity, we all need to come to the place where we can sincerely repent of our feeling of superiority and self-righteousness. We need to realize that however correct our doctrine is, we have often missed out on the love of God; however exciting our worship is, we have sometimes been too noisy to hear Him speak; however many miracles we have seen or done, we are usually far from holy. Churches that find their humility tested to the utmost are those that really are getting somewhere spiritually. We all have to learn that we haven’t really got very far unless the humility of Jesus has been worked into the fabric of our lives. It is not easy for us to admit that we need each other, but the Lord will not be satisfied with anything less than perfect fellowship in the Holy Spirit.
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