Quote from Forum Archives on July 12, 1998, 9:36 pm

Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>

Standing Shoulder To Shoulder in the Trenches,
Encouraging One Another as we "Fight the Good Fight"

TITLE: WHAT Can Separate Us? What WILL Separate Us?

Dear Fellow Workman:

TIMING IS EVERYTHING?

Did you ever plan to preach a sermon but, when looking for your notes you
had worked on so diligently, could not find them anywhere?

How do you react to such circumstances?

Frankly, my initial reaction can be described in three words ---- total
agitated exasperation.

This is what happened to me regarding today's letter. For weeks I have
delayed sending a letter I had written the middle of May pertaining to
some questions raised by scriptures I had used in the Shoulders #17
issue. When Jo Ann and I returned from Croatia four weeks ago, I
determined I would send it within the next two or three weeks.

Then my desktop computer started acting up. Apparently in trying to back
up the files I needed to remove, I either deleted it, filed it
inappropriately in some mysterious location only God knows about, or left
it still on the computer. At any rate, as I sit here today in
Independence, MO, waiting for Sunday lunch, my computer is already in the
shop and inaccessible until at least tomorrow ---- or later.

Tomorrow ---- or later! ---- is too late!

If the material is still on the computer, it may Not be when I get it
back.

Now, be sure I still have the young lady's letter, filled with probing
questions. I just don't have all my profound and wise answers I had
written shortly after she wrote her initial letter. Talk about wasted
wisdom! Now, if I can't find all that great stuff, I'm going to have to
try to recreate it again. And, if you're a preacher, you well know that
the second time around is never as excellent and rich as the first.
That's one problem I had when having multiple services ---- I always felt
like the second group got the microwave version while the early service
folks got the original recipe.

(I know, I know! It's the Holy Spirit that originates and also uses the
message in the first place! It's just that, every once in awhile I like
to be totally human about such things!)

Then, shortly after I made this terrible discovery, two things happened:

First, I was arrested by a thought that several respondents referred to
in letters I received this past week ---- the issue of denominations and
the things that seem to keep us from working together where and when we
can.

Second, I remembered that today is "Orangemen's Day" in Ireland. Now why
an Irish holiday is on the U.S. calendar, I'll never know ---- unless
some folks with Irish blood coursing through their veins let it be known
just how "Irish" we are in America. I suppose, since I'm part Irish (I
think Everyone in America is!), I should have known that.

Then, as I reflected on recent newscasts I had seen on Northern Ireland,
I realized just how appropriate it would be to share the following
thoughts with you.

As I began writing, my mind was also taken back to Croatia ---- it's the
same thing there. And Bosnia ---- it's the same thing there.

Religious expression has become "religious" rather than relational ----
and "political" rather than spiritual.

And here in America, among our churches ---- it's the very same thing.
That's why we have more than 250 identifiable "denominations" along with
other groups who insist they are independent and/or "non-denominational",
and still others we would identify as sects.

PARENTHETICAL:

(Just a question to ask, and a thought to ponder:

1) Question ---- what do we mean by "non-denominational? Our own
ministry is identified that way, though Jo Ann and I both have strong
ties to and loyal membership in a particular denomination. I think they
(we) mean they are not tied to, identified with, identified by, or
controlled by any form of authority, programs, or services of a specific
identifiable denomination outside ourselves.

However . . .

2) Thought to ponder: Anytime two or more churches come together with
mutually common agendas and purposes and decide to cooperate together in
either fellowship, strategy, and/or activities over a prolonged period of
time, they have, in fact, become their own "denomination" ---- by very
definition of the word in its most fundamental form.

Now, friend, my comment is not one of accusation or criticism of
"non-denominational" or even "inter-denominational" movements. It's
simply a comment to help release some of you, both denominational and
non-denominational, from a false assumption ---- that there is more
freedom and independence in "non-denominational" groups, and also less
accountability and responsibility.

The degree of freedom and independence comes from the heart ---- not
outward circumstances. True, it expresses itself depending on the type
of church polity a church might have ---- ecclesiastical, presbyterian,
authoritarian, congregational ---- but you can have absolute freedom in
each, and you can be in total bondage in each.

To be quite honest, if you happen to be part of a non-denominational
group, let me say that I know some denominational churches who have much
more freedom in Christ than many non-denominational churches. In fact,
some of the most legalistic, rigid, uncaring groups I've been around have
sometimes been non-denominational.)

A HISTORICAL EXAMPLE:

In preparing for my own church's anniversary celebration a number of
years ago, my attention was brought to two significant circumstances in
that particular town's history, which I wrote about in the local
newspaper at that time:

1. "When the first white settlers Don Barry and Henry Perry moved into
the area in 1844, followed by James Babb, David Reed, and a Mr. Powell
during the next two years, "Shanty Row" was built in 1848 on what is now
the center of
Main Street just east of the bridge.

"Living in Shanty Number Four was a minister, Elder Locke, his wife, and
six children. Reportedly an Adventist, he preached the very first sermon
ever heard in (town) on July 12th, 1848 from the text II Timothy 3:16,
'All Scripture is Given By Inspiration of God.' His pulpit was a chair,
and his meeting place was the open road in front of Shanty Number Two,
occupied by Mr. Powell and his family.

"The Methodists began a work here in 1850, followed by the
Congregationalists in 1851 who also built the first church building, the
Baptists in 1852, Presbyterians in 1957, Lutherans in 1857 and 1874,
Catholics around 1877, and so on.

"While all denominations blazed their individual trails into the lives of
those pioneering families, there was a common characteristic of mutual
respect, cooperation, and purpose that bound them together much as
individual stones are cemented to each other by mortar." Like Francis
Frangipane said in his book *The House of the Lord*, "while we each are
unique living stones with differing shapes, purposes, and styles, we need
to remember that we all came out of the same quarry."

2. "The second circumstance involves the growing movement of fellowship
and support among area pastors. Growing stronger almost weekly, we are
discovering more and more grounds on which we can fellowship and work for
the betterment of the community and the spiritual needs of our citizens.
We are also discovering that, while most of our differences are
relatively unimportant in eternity's eyes, some of them appear to be
insurmountable.

"That raises an interesting question: Just what can separate us from
each other ---- as ministers, as churches, as 'Christians'?

"On the surface it would seem that those differences that would separate
us are things like our religious heritage, our denominational
differences, our church polity, our ways of doing things, our beliefs and
interpretation of Scripture ---- things that are very important, at least
to us, though probably not to God.

"Which brings us to the real gut level question requiring bare honesty:

"what really separates us?

"It certainly isn't God; He created man to live in harmony with each
other. It obviously isn't Jesus; He Himself even prayed in John 17 that
we would be one as He and His Father were one. It surely isn't the Holy
Spirit; one of His main responsibilities is to generate unity in the
Church. While some might debate the fact, it isn't even the Bible; it
speaks of being inspired by one God, about one Savior, whom we can know
one way, and it bears one simple
message ---- "there is no other way under heaven given among men whereby
we can be saved" (Acts 4:12)."

WHY WERE DENOMINATIONS CREATED:

We usually assume that it is denominational differences that separate us,
but I don't believe that is actually true. In order to understand that,
let's ask the question, "Why do denominations exist?" This may be overly
simplistic, but for more than 40 years I've thought about that question,
and my mind has been satisfied with three simple factors: ---- our
heritage, the way we function and do things, and doctrinal disagreements.

1. Heritage ---- As people migrated over the generations to the United
States, they brought their religious practices as a part of their
heritage. Usually people from the same country in Europe, or even the
same town, would tend to settle near each other, continuing their
community relationships with each other. The natural result was to
include the establishment of a church. Whatever the church happened to
be in Europe was probably what the church would be in America.

Sometimes that not only included form and practice, but also language
---- Swedish, German, Italian, etc. Now that the languages have blended
into the American version of English, those denominations continue today,
but often using English. Even though similar to others in doctrine, the
denomination continues on simply because of heritage and a group of
people identifying with that heritage.

We certainly would not be willing to declare that you and I are going to
be separated from each other because of the heritage of our churches! We
wouldn't do that in business or other community relations, so why should
we do it with our churches? We can retain our heritage preferences
without isolating ourselves from each other ---- even in our churches.

2. Functional ---- Depending of the style of church polity, and the
strategy developed for ministry, and especially missions and evangelism,
denominations developed. Granted, some of that was based on doctrinal
beliefs
(i e faith, priesthood of the believer, etc.), but for the most part, it
was a matter of choice. For example, many denominations (Assembly of
God, Conservative Baptists, etc.) require their missionaries to raise
their own support from individuals and local churches, while other
denominations (Southern Baptists, etc.) have chosen to contribute their
missionary dollars to a central fund which is then distributed to all
missionaries.

Some denominations place a strong emphasis on Sunday school while others
do not.

I think you and I would agree that it seems a little absurd to say, "I
can't fellowship with you because you make your missionaries raise their
own support!" or "You and I cannot work together because your Sunday
school is for children only and not for adults!".

So, again, we must conclude that Function and Structure are not valid
reasons to separate ourselves from other believers who do things
differently than we do.

3. Doctrine ---- If there were a valid reason for denominations, it
possibly could be this.

However, in my relationships with pastors and educators in denominations
other than my own, I have found first, that the majority of our doctrinal
differences are either not doctrinal at all, but either preferential or
semantic, or they are over extremely trivial and insignificant doctrinal
issues.

Let me state two examples:

1) I was with a group of pastors in a weekly "theological discussion
group" ---- one of those things I didn't particularly care about, but in
which the Lord clearly indicated I should participate if I wanted to see
the ultimate objective of a prayer movement begun. We were studying the
life of Dietrich Bonhoffer. Now, if you've ever read his stuff, you must
agree that you'll find some profound truths and concepts that you can
embrace ---- even if you're Not a Lutheran.

Somehow the issue came up about the inerrancy and literalness of the
Bible. I stated I believed both. My Lutheran friend Jim said he
couldn't buy that. I then asked him, if he didn't believe in inerrancy,
which part had he decided was divinely inspired and therefore inerrant,
and which part wasn't. Before he could answer, my Methodist friend
Howard (the New Ager) asked how I could believe that every single thing
in the Bible was literal.

At that moment I discovered part of the problem of doctrinal differences
---- semantics, and understanding what we really mean when we talk with
each other. When I pointed out to him that the Bible being divinely
inspired and without error in the original text did not necessarily mean
that everything was "literal" (for example the parables of Jesus or much
of the symbolism found in the prophets and in Revelation), then Howard
was able to accept me and my positions without being threatened on the
one hand or being the adversary on the other.

2) In a similar group, this time discussing Basic Doctrines of
Churches, we were discussing the issue of baptism. Now you know there is
lots of controversy there ---- how to baptize, when to baptize, what the
outcome is, etc. Because I saw such a deep and intimate walk with the
Lord with my Lutheran friend Jim, I asked him a question: "Jim, do you
view baptism as an act that leads to faith, a part of faith itself, or an
expression of your faith?"

His answer, frankly, shocked me: "I see it as an expression of my faith.
It is not a part of my faith, but it is the way I express my faith in
Christ as my Savior." "That's what I believe!" I heard myself tell
myself. To be sure, we didn't iron out all the issues of baptism, but
God taught me a very important lesson that day. "While your doctrinal
differences are far more than I want them to be, they are far less than
you think they are. So, try talking to each other more."

To be sure, there are some significant doctrinal differences that we
have, and will always have until Christ returns. But, except in very
rare cases, they should not, and do not have to separate us from each
other as the varied expressions of the Body of Christ.

So . . .

WHAT REALLY SEPARATES US:

It seems to me there are perhaps three things that really can separate us
---- if we will allow them to do so.

1. Fear: Most of us live with fear ---- fear of failing, fear of being
rejected, fear of being wrong, fear of being challenged. If I am afraid
of your challenges to my faith, if I am afraid I can't counter your
arguments, if I am afraid my theological interpretation might just be in
error, if I am afraid you might ask me something I can't answer, if I am
afraid God might not come through and might embarrass me, then I will
allow fear to separate you from me and me from you. Nobody likes to be
threatened or in a position of vulnerability.

2. Sectarianism: Most of us tend to "deify" or "bronze" those things
most precious to us. I remember hearing about a guy who won a gold medal
at the Olympic Games, and was so proud of it that when he got home, he
had it bronzed.

We tend to do the same thing ---- take something of supreme value, the
Body of Christ, the Church, and tarnish and devalue it by our own
attempts to identify it, label it, and control it by our preferences and
even our own heritage.

We cherish things ---- "own" them ---- hoard them, in fact ---- because
of how they have blessed and benefited us. We value them, so much so
that we turn them into idols to be worshiped, to be protected, ---- and
to be made into the standard of measurement for everything and everyone
else, and the means by which we judge other movements and people.

We insist our way is better, our way can be traced back further, or our
way is safer. So, if you're not part of "my" group, then we are
separated from each other.

3. Pride: Because our group has been here longer, has been more
successful (by whose standard anyhow?), has glitz and glamour and noise
and stature to preserve, we will fight to the death to make sure our own
version of God, Jesus Christ, and His Church are not embarrassed or
shamed ---- or at least that we aren't.

Don't you think it's time that, while we cherish and appreciate the mold
from which we have come, we learn to respect each other in our varying
differences, and start praying for each other, loving each other, and
enjoying fellowship with each other? Some of the greatest Christians I
know are from outside my denominational circle; some of the greatest
books I've ever read were by authors out of denominations other than my
own.

IN CONCLUSION:

I'm as much a (name) as I've ever been, and have no plans to change, even
though there are at least half a dozen other denominations with whom I
would be doctrinally "at home".

I believe just as much about the Bible and its authority and its
inerrancy now as ever. However, for more than thirty years of my life
I've had the joy of being confident enough over who I am in Christ and
how He loves me that I can rub shoulders and bump elbows with lots of
people from backgrounds different from mine ---- and not be afraid ----
or pharisaical ---- or feel stinking proud and superior. Frankly, it's
not worth the effort. And it certainly doesn't impress God at all.

It seems to me that God would be real happy for those of us who claim to
be Christians to start Acting like we are ---- Being what we have become
---- toward each other, and then do the same thing toward those who do
not confess Christ as their Savior.

It seems to me, too, that we could work hard at trying to simplify what
Christianity really is, and stop dragging around all that extra stuff
that comes from our deep theological minds, our traditions, and our
denominational "program plants" that load us down with all kinds of new
ideas to help us preserve our denominational stature, reputation, and
hand-crafted play things.

Finally, I think it would be a great idea for every personal in
vocational ministry to find two or three other ministers from different
denominations, get acquainted, start talking to each other, and get to
know something about each other. Who knows ---- you might even find a
friend who has the same heartbeat as you. You might even begin to care,
and actually start praying for each other.

And ---- if they saw it, imagine what it would do for your church
members! I can tell you what members said in my little town. Speaking
to the Ministerial Fellowship I described last week, one key layman said,
"You guys are beginning to do what we lay people have wanted to see
happen for years, but were afraid you would disapprove, and that is begin
fellowshiping with believers in other churches. This is what our town
needs."

Thank God for our respective denominational heritages from which we come.
I certainly do. Let's just make sure we don't push those things out in
front so they block the view of Jesus and hinder the way of fellowship.
There is absolutely no doubt that the thing that impressed the pagan
world more than anything about these people called Christians was Not
what the believed, but it was "how they loved one another".

I encourage you ---- yes, even challenge you ---- take the risk and get
involved with some fellow ministers outside your denominational camp.
You won't be a traitor for doing that. You won't spread yourself too
thin by doing that. You won't call down the wrath of your people for
doing that. You will, however, demonstrate the love of Christ and may
well help pave the way for a great movement of God that will sweep
through your town or city.

Take a chance!

I love you, my friend, no matter what denomination you are in, or if you
are in none. And, if you are pointing people to Jesus Christ, I pray God
blesses and prospers your ministry above and beyond all you can imagine.

In Christ's Bond,

Bob Tolliver
Life Unlimited Ministries
[email protected]
Ph: 417-275-4854.
Fax: 417-275-4855

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