July, 2009
“What Kind of Church?”
“What kind of church are you?” asked the voice at the other end of the phone line. I received that call yesterday, but that question has frequently been asked by people who are seeking a church to attend. Perhaps you have had friends ask you a similar question about our church. What do you say?
Sometimes people will ask, “Is your church independent or is it part of a denomination?” To that question I’ve often answered, “Yes.” Indeed, we are both independent and part of a denomination. Our church is independent in establishing its own goals, calling its ministers, raising funds necessary for its work, setting its own policies, etc. But it is also part of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
But what are the Disciples? Most people are somewhat familiar with Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians or Catholics. But if you say, “Disciples,” many people draw a blank stare. Some might even wonder if it is a weird little group from the mountains of Tennessee who handle snakes or howl at the moon or something of that sort.
Yesterday when the woman on the phone asked me, “What kind of church are you?” the answer that I gave was, “We are Disciples of Christ, a Christ-centered mainline denomination.” That might not have helped as much as I would have liked, but it’s a start.
We are, indeed, Christ-centered. The only confession of faith that we require of anyone who wants to be a member of the church is a heartfelt “yes” to the question, “Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God and your Lord and Savior?” Without a lively faith in Jesus nothing else about the church matters much. He is our guide, our Redeemer, the revelation of God and focus of our praise.
But our church is also a part of a mainline denomination. It is the smallest of the “mainline” – sometimes now referred to as “oldline” – denominations. These are the churches that had a considerable amount of influence on the United States from its founding until about 1960. Most of the U.S. presidents came from these churches. Three presidents came from the Disciples of Christ: James A. Garfield, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan.
Still, there must be more that can be said in answer to the question, “What kind of church?” Our church is one that places a strong emphasis on Christian unity and inclusiveness. From the beginning of the Disciples of Christ we have practiced “open communion.” Not just members of our church, but all who accept Jesus are welcome to share at the Lord’s Table. We believe the barriers of denomination, nation, class or race should not separate Christians from each other. We are one in Christ.
We often speak of “unity in diversity.” We don’t have to agree with each other. Room is allowed for different viewpoints and perspectives on a host of issues. We believe in the freedom – and responsibility – of all of us to studiously and prayerfully reflect on scripture and come to our own conclusions. We can and should listen to and learn from each other. But we do not condemn, exclude and divide over different interpretations. The One who brings us together is far more important than whatever differences set us apart.
Perhaps some of the words from the Disciples of Christ identity statement offer one of the best answers we can give to the question, “What kind of church are you?” We are part of a Christ-centered “movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.” We believe of Jesus Christ that “he is our peace… and has broken down the dividing wall, that is, the hostility between us” and all the diverse peoples of the world (Ephesians 2:14). Instead of supporting the division and animosity between peoples, we “regard no one from a human point of view” (2 Corinthians 5:16). Instead, we have been given “the ministry of reconciliation,” urging all to be reconciled to God and to one another in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).
Grace and Peace,
Craig
“Coming Of The Spirit”
It is a curious thing that after the risen Jesus Christ told his inner circle to go into the world to make disciples, he didn’t say, “Now get out there and do it!” Instead, he told them to wait until they received power from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8).
You’d think the training they had received during the previous three years would have sufficiently prepared them. You’d think that witnessing the resurrection of Jesus would have been adequate inspiration. But, no. They needed something more: the Holy Spirit.
When the Holy Spirit fell upon the followers of Jesus who huddled together in ancient Jerusalem, some amazing things happened. The rag-tag band became church. Their devotion to Jesus became a mission. Their fearfulness gave way to boldness.
It was only when the church was filled and empowered by the Spirit that it was ready to get about its wonderful, holy business. With the resources that only God can provide, the early disciples began to proclaim the truth in a world of deception, tear down walls of hostility in a world of division, and serve with compassion in a world of selfishness.
We celebrate the coming of the Spirit on Pentecost Day. We speak of this day as the birthday of the church. The mission we have in our time is an extension of the mission bestowed on the church on Pentecost two thousand years ago. In this sense, every church is Pentecostal. We continue to need the Holy Spirit to guide us, empower us, and encourage us as we serve the Lord. Our own abilities and strengths are not enough. The Holy Spirit makes all the difference.
Grace and Peace,
Craig
- Pentecost Celebration