Tears
Since I'm still relatively new to the area, and very new to the pulpit, I've only recently joined my community's ministerial alliance, where many of the ministers from all over the area come together to study the Bible, fellowship, and plan spiritual events for the entire community.
Yesterday was only my second time participating in this group made up of 40 ministers from nearly 20 different fellowships, and both times I was met with a fair amount of incredulity both because of my age and because of the tradition from whence I come. Some of the comments include: "You're not allowed to be here, are you?" "I didn't expect to see you here." "Aren't you ashamed to be associating with us unbelievers?" (Ok, ok...lots of them asked, "How old ARE you?")
This group, the LCMA (Lyon County Ministerial Alliance) , always begins by discussing the week's lectionary passage (don't know what a lectionary is? Look it up...and think about getting out of your denominational house once in a while), which this week happened to be from John 17. Jesus' prayer that "they may all be one." Each of us got to share a few thoughts about this passage. When it was my turn...I repented. I apologized on behalf of all the members of the Churches of Christ who had been hateful and divisive and exclusive and mean. I upheld these ministers' identity as believers and Christians and expressed a desire to be unified with them, lest the world not recognize that Jesus was sent from God. And guess what...I got a standing ovation...in fact the only ovation of any kind, along with many handshakes and hugs.
Then an older Baptist minister was asked to close us in prayer. He prayed for our group, our churches...and for the "dear brother who has joined us today to take a stand for unity," and continued to pray for me and the Churches of Christ and since I thought I heard his voice break, I glanced up at him to see tears rolling down his cheeks. He finished and came and embraced me and told me stories of how many times he'd been told that he wasn't a Christian, how often he'd been excluded and shunned by my brethren. And as a final tear fell from his chin, he thanked me for my simple act of participation.
And so I learned that we have done wrong, that we've damaged our own reputation, that we've failed to earn respect. This IS important...we can't afford to be arrogant...we just need to be Christians only...not the only Christians.
Yesterday was only my second time participating in this group made up of 40 ministers from nearly 20 different fellowships, and both times I was met with a fair amount of incredulity both because of my age and because of the tradition from whence I come. Some of the comments include: "You're not allowed to be here, are you?" "I didn't expect to see you here." "Aren't you ashamed to be associating with us unbelievers?" (Ok, ok...lots of them asked, "How old ARE you?")
This group, the LCMA (Lyon County Ministerial Alliance) , always begins by discussing the week's lectionary passage (don't know what a lectionary is? Look it up...and think about getting out of your denominational house once in a while), which this week happened to be from John 17. Jesus' prayer that "they may all be one." Each of us got to share a few thoughts about this passage. When it was my turn...I repented. I apologized on behalf of all the members of the Churches of Christ who had been hateful and divisive and exclusive and mean. I upheld these ministers' identity as believers and Christians and expressed a desire to be unified with them, lest the world not recognize that Jesus was sent from God. And guess what...I got a standing ovation...in fact the only ovation of any kind, along with many handshakes and hugs.
Then an older Baptist minister was asked to close us in prayer. He prayed for our group, our churches...and for the "dear brother who has joined us today to take a stand for unity," and continued to pray for me and the Churches of Christ and since I thought I heard his voice break, I glanced up at him to see tears rolling down his cheeks. He finished and came and embraced me and told me stories of how many times he'd been told that he wasn't a Christian, how often he'd been excluded and shunned by my brethren. And as a final tear fell from his chin, he thanked me for my simple act of participation.
And so I learned that we have done wrong, that we've damaged our own reputation, that we've failed to earn respect. This IS important...we can't afford to be arrogant...we just need to be Christians only...not the only Christians.
posted by Neal | 10:29 PM
26 Comments:
Would you consider other denominations of Christianity erring brethren?
If I were to be honest...I consider the Church of Christ to be erring brethren (Thanks for the un-CoC-like "other denominations", by the way...). Sure, we're "right" about baptism (sort of), but we are wrong about lots of stuff, too. We are ALL erring in some way...and scripture definitely hangs our salvation on more than just being baptized (i.e. - being forgiving, Matthew 6:15). Do I have something to teach those other groups? Sure. But could I learn a thing or three from them? You bet (and I have). We in the Churches of Christ tend to worship badly...I think that's a major problem. We almost embody the self-righteousness and pridefulness that Jesus hated in the Pharisees when we refuse to interact with other churches just because we disagree with them. Christian unity MUST come from a different source than intellectual agreement. I'm very convicted by the fact that scripture only identifies one group that will recieve the grace of God: the humble (James 4:6). We are NOT humble when we are so sure that we are right that we get to label other believers as lost.
Great story Neal, thank you for speaking on my behalf. Appreciate you sharing this with us. I would like to make note of it on my blog.
Great post, Neal. It was good to see you again the other day! I wish I had your "guts", brother! I have been to one or two meetings of youth ministers in my town, but I have always been scared to volunteer for any responsibility for fear that my own congregation would discover it and fire me. I really think Jesus wants me to stand up for unity instead of giving in to the "Pharisees." Keep on setting the example!
Neal,
Thats great to hear about downthe road Emporia. Sorry you guys coudn't make the retreat.
in response (I hate that blogger doesn't let your reply to direct comments)
I have known many individuals who are very "religious" and very spiritual minded--they are baptist, or methodist or whatever. One girl imparticular comes to mind, she is marrying guy who is in seminary. Religious discussions with her are amazing because we agree on so much--except baptism, instrumental music and maybe women's rolls. The usual. I see her life and I see how blessed she is, and I know that is from the hand of God. So I do NOT think that just because someone isn't "cofc" that doesn't mean they are not close to God.
Some argue that if they are baptist or methodist then they cease to be Christians, thus then they would not be "methodists". But the labeling to me is just ridiculous. Regardless... what I think about people doesn't matter. God loves everyone. And since he is God he can do whatever he wants, he can save whoever he wants. It's not my business to condemn people. But the only standard I have to go on for salvation is His word.... so if it says to be baptized and to honor my husband and to be silent in service, then that is what I'm going to do. I think a lot of the problems in EVERY church comes from people going after what they want. "I want this.. I think this sounds better.. I like THIS.. I ..I .. I..."
Anyway.
I'm preaching to the choir now. Wee!
ew! women's rolls!!!
FAT or bread??
ROLES i meant.
To Goofy Youthdude:
Good to see you again on Friday. Let's do it again sometime. And I'm really pretty spineless (plenty of gut, though)...I just see that the things we've done forever aren't working and my conscience won't let me continue in that direction anymore. I couldn't participate in any sort of group like that at my former church...I'd have been fired...so I didn't. Gotta feed the fam, you know?
To Rachel:
So how do we handle people who are less right than us, but they show more fruit of the Spirit in their lives? The Bible does say to be baptized, but it also say to be forgiving, gracious, merciful, and to be totally unselfish. Who gets to choose which ones count and which don't? Will God forgive murderers but come down hard on people who misinterpret his will for women's roles? Besides...just because the Bible says something doesn't mean we take it at face value.
I mean, the Bible says:
- Don't braid your hair or wear certain kinds of jewelry (I Tim 2:9)
- Men should kiss each other (I Thess. 5:26)
- Churches meet in houses (Acts 12:12, + many references in Paul)
- We have an obligation to kill disobedient children (Deut. 21:18)
- We are to kill and destroy non-beleivers and take their land.(book of Joshua)
We need to get better at interpretation. Saying it's in the Bible really isn't good enough...we need to find out what it really means. The CoC is just as guilty of taking the Bible out of context for their own advantage as anyone else.
One thing you won't find in the Bible: any authorization to break fellowship with another believer over their beliefs (their morals, yes, but not their doctrine).
"In essentials, unity;
in non-essentials, liberty;
and in all things, love."
Count Zinzendorf, Moravian motto for The Unitas Fratrum (The United Brethren)
Neal...I'm new to your blog, but enormously appreciated your story and the way in which God is working in your life to bring about unity. I am a church planter here in Salem, Oregon and could not encourage you enough to continue these new and growing relationships with other brothers and sisters from different Christian traditions/heritages. Thanks for your boldness and willingness to work towards unity.
Neal, this is my first time to read your blog. Beautiful post, brother. I just started a chaplaincy work with the hospital (volunteer) and have had a close association with the Baptist pastor who is in charge. He is a beautiful soul. When he introduces me he says, "I'm baptist, he's church of Christ, but we love each other." Sweet man who has been made sweeter by Jesus.
How old are you? Now you've got me curious! LOL
Neal, I am a first timer on your blog as well. I hope it is OK with you, I linked this post on my blog. GREAT thoughts that we all need to hear!
Thank you for being a uniter in Christ, Neal!
Neal - great post. I preach for the Southside Church of Christ here in Salt Lake. I host a group of about 15 "pastors" every week for a time of prayer, fellowship and lunch. I, too, have had the same response when I first came. Since, I have preached in most of their churches! I consider these men some of my closest friends in ministry. I feel I have more in common with them than my own "brethren" who won't even have lunch with me! I applaud you for starting on this path early in ministry - I started much too late (I'm 47) but am making up for lost time! I find these guys much more open to talk about our "differences" after they know that I accept them. Many have even shared that they need to "ratchet" up their view of baptism! They have taught me about the Holy Spirit, healing, worship,etc. (Iron sharpens iron!) Anyway, great post. Lets stay in contact!
I don't think you are understanding that I am agreeing with you....
To JD:
I'm 25...but most people tell me I look even younger. I used to be a youth minister...and most people assumed I was still a teenager.
To Rachel:
I know you agree...just venting, really. :-)
Hurting others is never in the image of Christ. I jumped here from Wade Hodges blog. I hope your LCMA group continues to allow you to give and also accept blessings.
Neal,
This is awesome! Thanks for this encouraging post! God bless!
Neal,
I was so touched by your story.
My ex-brother-in-law joined the ministerial alliance back in the 60's. Being a cofc preacher he was invited to speak at the christian church. He did and was labeled by his fellow brethren as being in left field.
To boot he even got written up and named in a cofc newspaper for being a hereitic.
Thank you for being a uniter and a bridge builder. God smiled!
This is my first visit here (I came from another blogsite "citing" this particular post, too) and have read this post about the ministerial alliance meeting now three or four times.
I truly appreciate the obvious indwelling of God's Spirit in your heart and soul to so humbly and "sweetly" (can we say that about guys?!) not only take the brave step toward unity with other Christians, but to ask forgiveness on behalf of all of those of us who have gone before (and who are still are around) who have not lived as we should before God with regard to our brothers and sisters.
It makes me feel so very fortunate to live in a place (here in South Louisiana) where the cofC is not well known, but where our congregation's leaders, including our great shepherds and young minister (who did not grow up in the cofC), reach out in such situations as you were in and who honor our Father by showing love and acceptance to other Christians with all different "beliefs" about "how" we should do things.
May God richly bless you and your family in your ministry!
Neal,
I jumped here from Wade Hodges blog (no relation), and just wanted to say that you are mature beyond your years in the Lord. God Bless, and continue to build those bridges.
http://hodgepodge.myblogsite.com/
Lee
Neal, I just now found this post.....thanks to Keith Brenton. It won't be my last time to visit!
Thank you for your spirit of Christ! I don't know you from Adam, but I love you already!
God bless you in your ministry, brother!
'Tears' -- I was moved and encouraged! However, I do have a question...Who does the alliance exclude and include in the 'family of the faithful'?
Thanks, dan
Dan,
Well...this isn't an interfaith alliance...our islamic friends have their own group...and the area's relatively large mormon group isn't involved. It's mostly a protestant evangelical group, I guess...largely baptist and methodist, since those are the biggest church groups here, although I know the local parish priest has been involved in the past, though I have yet to meet him.
Neil:
We have been so destructive and arrogant that the Church of Christ has had a negative impact in so many communities. I appreciate your heart. May God bless your work in the Emporia area.
Hi Neal;
Your story about your mini-death event blessed me. As did the response of some of your Brothers at the meeting. I found your Blog account on referral from a reference to it on the New Wineskins Blog.
Your personal and corporate repentance and your hearers' reaction incarnates what Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write in Ephesians 4:1-7 & 11-12.
Your comments about the phariseeism of some in your denomination (sic is sending me to Google to do some research on who you guys are. As a Canadian, I'm not sure I have run across you. I have sure run across the spirit about which you write in my travels throughout the Body. So, your part doen't have a corner on religiosity.
How can I help you?
Living life passionately to the full ...in Christ, forever,
Gary
"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in a magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to LIVE, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." -- Jack London (1876-1916)
American author - "Satan comes only to steal, and kill and destroy; I have come that you may have LIFE and have it to the full." - Jesus Christ
Post a Comment
<< Home