I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will
believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are
in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe
that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so
that they may be one, as we are one,[1]
For centuries people have preached, taught, or written about
Church unity. The words from Jesus’ prayer are for many the clarion call for
unity; “that they may be one,
as we are one.” This particular scripture was key to the ecumenical
movement which began with the World
Missionary Conference at Edinburgh in 1910. The Catholic Church in the Second
Vatican Council (1962-65) officially took part in the ecumenical movement. However,
the ecumenical movement has not been fully accepted. There has been token acceptance
among some denominations not to see each other as enemies or competitors but as
fellow Christians. In opposition to the movement there are theological, political
and institutional challenges, from fundamentalist groups as well as mainline Churches.
To its opponents ecumenism is a negative term, like syncretism, doctrinal
relativism and indifferentism.[2] Facing
the issues hindering ecumenism Cardinal
Kasper suggests, “Our response to this situation cannot be only and primarily
an institutional and organizational one.” Kasper’s comment
suggests to me that, the main cause of failure facing the ecumenical movement
is the exclusivity of Churches. The language coming from proponents of
ecumenism indicates that on a personal level unity is a greater possibility
than at the institutional level. Ecumenism is doomed; common sense dictates
that the reason there are so many Churches is the same reason there cannot not
be unity.
Every Church exists because it offers a, belief, doctrine,
or system, which is unique to that body. Every Church possesses exclusive
attributes. Every Church holds objections to its neighbours, or believes it is
doing a better job of leading people to salvation. These things are obvious, or
there would be no reason for every Church to exist. Unity at the Church level
is an impossibility. It has been suggested that greater interaction could take
place toward ecumenism without
betraying faith or conscience. When Church affiliation determines faith and
conscience, I don’t see how any interaction can take place. As I think of the
“unity” for which Jesus prayed, and look at the myriad of Churches existing
today, I wonder if we have downplayed the importance of personal discipleship. Have
you ever asked yourself, why you are a member of a particular Church? Why do
you attend one Church and walk past another? Have you ever heard the preacher
at your Church suggest you should attend a different Church? It would be
thoughtful of a preacher to ask some of his congregation to support the effort
of a startup congregation, or even a different Church.
Are you a Church member? Have you signed or otherwise
committed yourself to membership in a Church? Do you recognize that you are
expected to conform to the doctrines of that Church? Do you agree with the
position your Church takes on, LGBT, abortion, same-sex marriage, divorce, the
death penalty, religious tolerance, racial equality, the environment, or Church
organization? Do you accept all that your Church teaches? I ask these questions
not to be facetious, but to make the point that very few people agree with
everything their Church stands for or teaches. Institutional doctrines and
policies sometimes conflict with personal values. Look at the questions above
and it will be clear that a Church cannot answer any of them in a way that all
of its members would be satisfied. It’s highly unlikely that the goal of unity
will be achieved at the Church or denominational level. A Church is constrained
by its doctrines and limited by its own exclusivity. Church policies,
doctrines, or beliefs, set the boundaries of what governs the group. Every
Church claims to have biblical support for its doctrines and practices, and
that’s a problem. It is absolutely impossible for every Church to have support
from the Bible when there are so many diverse interpretations. On the flip
side, while it is impossible for all Churches to be right, it is probable that
they are all wrong. It’s a scary proposition to count on having the right
interpretation of every scripture in order to be acceptable to God. I feel way
more comfortable trusting in God’s grace than in my knowledge.
A problem I see is, that people go to Church to be saved, not
because they are saved. Church membership has become the means by which people
are saved. A Church needs to be a gathering of disciples who are saved. Discipleship
is a personal responsibility; discipleship is following Jesus. A disciple has
to respond to issues the same way Jesus approached issues when he was on earth.
Jesus looked at sinners as people needing help not condemnation. Jesus had the
ability to see into the heart, whereas we can only see what’s on the outside.
Perhaps that’s why Jesus said we shouldn’t judge. Another reason not to judge because
we have sinned. We have no business condemning others, since we are sinners. Jesus
died as a sacrifice for sin, mine, yours, and anyone who comes to him. Our task
as disciples is to convince sinners that there is hope in Jesus. The most
effective way to do that is to let Christ be seen in your life. People must see
the influence of Jesus in how you talk, and how you walk. It is said that a
picture is worth a thousand words. A disciple’s life is his or her picture. Church
doctrines and policies have developed over many centuries.
It seems to me that our religious ancestors took a wrong
turn somewhere. At some point it was determined that the path they were
following needed improvement. To help unify the Empire Constantine insisted on
religious unity. He convened the Council of Nicaea which centralized religious
power in Roman. Congregations throughout the Empire were subjected to the
authority of the bishops in Roman. Congregational autonomy was lost. The right
to appoint their own bishops in local congregations was given up to Rome.
Approved doctrines originated in Rome. The Roman Church became the official
head of Christianity, supported by the Emperor. A sad day in history, when
citizens of the kingdom of God were compelled to submit to the authority of the
first Church. Up until that point believers assembled in autonomous groups.
Disciples were “a chosen
race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people”[3] with
the mandate to proclaim the wonders of God in their salvation. True
Christianity was driven underground due to the brutal persecution of those who
did not submit to the Roman Church. Through the period in which the Roman
Church held a monopoly on religion, even during and after the Reformation, I am
confident that disciples of Jesus lived as witnesses of God’s enduring love.
I believe in the power of personal discipleship. Jesus was
the representative of God on earth, in the way disciples are to represent
Jesus. While on earth Jesus was “The Light” personifying God’s love. Disciples
are lights reflecting God’s love. Each and every disciple is commissioned to be
a light in darkness. The only way for people to know God is for them to know
Jesus, and the only way for people to know Jesus is by observing his disciples.
Personal discipleship mirrors the example and teaching of Jesus. As a disciple
of Jesus I do not have to agree with the lifestyles of LGBT, but I am obligated
to love people no matter what lifestyles they choose. To love people is an
irrevocable commission. I do not have to condone tax-evasion, or condemn it, I
am obligated to love all people. By loving people Jesus can be seen in my life.
The apostle Paul wrote, “Owe
no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has
fulfilled the law.”[4] As
a disciple I don’t require policies on the issues mentioned above. Only Jesus
is Judge, and Saviour. As a disciple I am limited to loving people, whoever
they are, and whatever they have done. There should not be any difference
between being a Church member and a being a disciple of Jesus. That however, is
not always the case. Some Churches require compliance with their programs, and support
of their projects. I believe there are disciples in many Churches, I also
believe there are disciples who do not go to Church. The power of personal
discipleship is irresistible. When the persecution by Saul broke out, the early
converts were scattered. That was not a victory for evil, it was an explosion
of faith felt throughout the known world.
The gifts he gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of
ministry, for building up the body of Christ,[5]
The important phrase here is, “to equip the saints.” The task of gift-endowed
leaders was to prepare believers for ministry and building up the body of
Christ. The model given was for inspired leaders to train and mobilize the
unstoppable force of personal discipleship. The true assessment of a Church is
not how many people attend services, but how many people have been equipped to
reflect Jesus in their everyday lives.
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