Book that we ar to read for cohort group on missional/ecumenism

This is the second time I read the book. This second time around, I was on a deadline and it was required reading and so I got a lot more out of it. I agree with Dr Armstrong’s thesis, that we need a missional/ecumenism in order to achieve unity among Christians.

I learned that that there three types of unity; relational, spiritual and co-operational unity. A lot of times, most times, Christians acknowledge that Jesus wants all of his disciples to be one. But I think we tend to keep these things in our heads and think about them and hold onto the principle. But do we actually break down the walls that separate us and practically take steps towards unity? That is the hard part.

In the book the point was made that there must be some physical, outer manifestation of our unity. This is the hard part. This is where it all gets practical. What good is it if all we do is talk about things and never make movements towards a practical outward manifestation of unity? I liked the work of John’s son, who worked towards unifying the churches in one community.

I saw myself in this reading of coming from a sectarian mindset. Dr John stated that revolutionary movements in the church produce sectarianism and tribalism. In my previous mindset, I would think, “Why not have a revolution?” Why not just toss everything aside and rebuild the church crafting it directly from the scripture? Why do we need the traditions etc.?” I was a person who thought that looking to the scripture to rebuild the 1st century church is enough. But I agree it produces sectarianism. When I lived with a sectarian mindset, (and in many ways I still do) I suffered a lot. As I shared in my testimony, “this sectarian way of thinking went on for over 15 years. It robbed me of the joy of life. I found myself always criticizing and condemning people. I did not feel free to enter into co-working relationships with other Christians and churches. I did not experience the full brunt of the effects of this way of thinking until I set out to plant a house church ministry 60 miles away in DeKalb. The effect was loneliness. When I was around members of my own ministry, my social needs were met. But when it was me and my wife and five young children, I felt the brunt of loneliness. Both me and my wife worked and were running this small ministry. The only other people around me were non Christians and spiritually young Christians who required constant mentoring. It was hard to invite someone to have dinner at my home. There were constant demands and sacrifices to be made. Of course our home church sent people from time to time. I tried to focus on Jesus and derive my joy from my relationship with him and meditating on, preaching and teaching the word of God. But despite of it all, students could not find a church home among us and loneliness, despair; fatalism and even anger took a great toll on me. At times this affected my relations with my family.”

I also realize that the revolutionary approach will not change the culture and touch the lives of the populace. It will also not create a church that is able to meet the spiritual needs for the entire lifespan of its congregation members. There is unity based on uniformity and not unity based on diversity. This may work for a short while, a few decades, but it can not sustain growing numbers of people over the years or make a dent in the popular culture. We will always some strange “tribe” out there with no depth or ties to the culture we minister to. It would be very unsatisfying. I suppose.

I agree with Dr Armstrong’s ancient/future church, where a church embraces the creeds of the apostolic fathers created in the first three centuries of the Christian church. It is working with the past to build a new future. This approach will produce a culture changing Christian church with spiritual depth and a scholarly character. It will provide a basis for unity with our diversity. There is history, there is context, and there is common ground to communicate.

I also learn that Christian unity in Christ and in the mission is the goal. Then the whole world will know that we are Jesus’ disciples. I remember the song, “We are one in the spirit…we are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord….and we’ll pray that all unity will one day be restored. Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, Yes they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Our love covers over a multitude of wrongs. Our love allows us to forgive one another, hope in each other and encourage one another and build each other up in the most holy faith. And that is not just in our own congregation or ministry. Our unity will tell the world that we love each other with an unconditional, holy love and we can only love this way because He (Jesus) first loved us this way. The world will be attracted to Jesus not because we come to them with the correct doctrine. Non-believers are not attracted to correct doctrine that much. They want unity, loving relationships, a place to belong before believing. Even Muslims will be attracted to Jesus if Christians will simply love each other in word and deed and be united in love and mission.

I was also impressed about the 20/80 law. Most people are in the 80 % group and that is OK to be in that group. They are supporters. Then there are the 20 % groups that see the big picture and hear God’s call the stand up and lead. They accept that sacrifices and hard work are to be embraced as part of the call the one of the 20%. They also know that they will not largely be understood. There will opposition and misunderstandings. But despite all of this, if the 20% are willing to stand and make an effort, with faith and a prayer, the 80 % will follow; there will be a cultural shift. Lives will be changed over generations. The church will grow in missional/ecumenism type unity and Jesus will be glorified in the world.

Now here is the big question. Am I one of those 20%? I suppose that God has hope for me to be. I believe I am beginning to see the bigger picture. Will I take steps like organizing ten churches to have a communal vacation Bible school? I can see myself working to organize future Christian music festivals, such as Praizapalooza. I can see us incorporating the creeds in our worship. I can see us visiting other churches to share in their worship. I can see cooperation with Open Mic nights. I can see me teaching my five kids to be missional/ecumenical