Unity in the body of Christ

Pastor Ron has been talking a lot about unity lately. He's talked about the difference between unity and conformity but I still get the sense that this concept is a little difficult for some of us to get our minds around. I ran into a blog entry this week that developed this idea further and thought it might be helpful to us. You can view the blog here http://faithwalking.blogspot.com/, but the full entry is below.

Unity that only Jesus can create
By Jim Herrington

Lunch last week with my good friend, Rick, was lively. We had miscommunicated about some stuff and we met for lunch to work things out. We are both very assertive folks so you can imagine the conversation. At the heart of our miscommunication was the topic of unity in the Church. Rick and I are deeply passionate about this topic, and in a conversation a week earlier, the conversation became animated and misunderstanding ensued. We are good friends, so by the time lunch was over we had cleaned things up - emerging more committed than ever before to seeing God unify His body as servants in and to the city.

I walked away realizing how illusive unity is. Many people use unity to mean uniformity - coming together and doing things alike. In this context unity means that we gather others who see things pretty much like we do so that we build a larger, stronger force for seeing and doing things the way that we see and do them.

Some people actually mean conformity when they say unity. In this view of unity, there are some designated leaders who hear from God for the rest of us. They tell us what God has said. They develop plans to achieve what God has said. And, in this view of unity, they expect the rest of us to fall in line (ignoring or suppressing what we hear God saying - especially if it is different than what the leaders hear.)

Some people want unity so that "the Church" can be a more powerful voting block - a group who by the shear size of numbers can get the culture to acquiesce to it's wishes, desires, and even demands.

What do I mean when I talk about unity? Unity is when individuals with a core commitment to follow Jesus and who have truly different perspectives, come together in authentic relationships, loving each other - saying what their is to say - especially when the points-of-view are divergent - staying together long enough for the Holy Spirit to use our difference to give us all a larger view than we started with.

So in my view of unity, widely different perspectives in the church would come together and as a growing sense of unity was achieved the purpose would not be to serve ourselves but to serve the world. Paul says that it is a ministry of reconciliation to which we are called. Personal and community transformation result from the reconciling work that we have been given.

In our unity, we would intentionally gather democrats and republicans in the same room for honest, respectful dialogue about how to most effectively govern. In our unity, we would intentionally gather poor people and rich people in the same room for honest respectful dialogue about how to effectively deal with consequences of sloth and greed, materialism and hedonism. In our unity we would gather teachers, administrators, parents and students in the same room for honest, respectful dialogue about how to make our schools work. In our unity we would intentionally get those on both side of the immigration issue or the issues around the war in Afghanistan - or around any issue that divides people in our neighborhoods or communities- and in all these setting, honest, respectful dialogue would take place. It is, in my view, in this setting that Jesus is most likely to have our permission to be the head of His Church.

Out of this dialogue (that we can trust the Holy Spirit to guide) we would serve as a ministering, reconciling presence - salt and light in the places where there is the most brokenness, the most division, the most inequality, the most injustice. We do this, not to win converts (though some would be converted) but to be agents of God's mercy, love, and justice in a fallen world - providing the world with a foretaste of heaven, a incomplete but distinguishable taste of heaven on earth.

The challenge with this view of unity is that it requires participants who are capable of holding two opposite things in tension. First it requires that each participant has clear, well thought out convictions that can be expressed clearly. Second it requires that each participant has a deep sense of humility that leads to a recognition that they see only a part - not the whole - no matter how deeply convicted they are about their part. So they offer their part with confidence, and they listen to the part that others bring with a kind of openness that allows God to enlarge their view - trusting that He is at work in all this process.

That kind of spiritual and emotional maturity is deeply challenging and often absent. So, we settle for a cheap substitute that is about uniformity or conformity or political power in a fallen world. In fact, in the last book, A Failure of Nerve, author Edwin Friedman called our society a regressive society. A regressive society is one in which the level of chronic anxiety is so high that leaders are increasingly incapable of the kind of engagement with diversity that I'm describing here.

The leaders of the ministry of Mission Houston (of which Rick and I are a part) are committed to this level of engagement with diversity in the Church - not to grow a political power block but - to be servants in the city in the places where the amazing, unconditional love of Jesus brings his reconciling power. That kind of unity is unique and it is virtually missing in our culture today. And like all our colleagues and friends, we are incapable of the very thing we believe God wants for us. So, with humility we stay connected as a branch to The Vine and are intentionally seeking to allow Him to continue growing us up.

The Body of Christ has come a long way down the road in the 25 years that I've been observing it and participating in it in Houston. And, we have a long, long way to go until we become like Paul's description of the Church in Ephesians 4:14-15 . . . then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is Christ.

I returned this afternoon from a 2 night backpacking trip with our NYI President, Shane and four of our youth. We began our four mile hike into Spider Meadows in a driving rain that began to let up as we hiked and finally ended after about 45 minutes. We arrived at the beautiful meadow and enjoyed the evening with a sad little fire and went to bed early.

The boys slept in till after 9:00 so it gave me an opportunity to explore a little. I headed for a rock cropping where we had seen Marmot the evening before. I was not disappointed as I found them quite easily. The first one I found was basking in the morning sun before he began grazing for the day.

As I was walking back to camp I ran into another marmot that was nibbling on the fresh new shoots that were emerging from the avalanche debris leftover from winter.



After breakfast we walked up to the end of the valley and spent the afternoon playing in the creek, eating lunch and talking. Several of the boys asked about the possibility of being baptized in the creek. We talked about what baptism was all about and what God was doing in their life and then headed off to find a suitably deep enough pool of water.






I can't feel my legs!!!



The baptism was certainly the highlight of our trip but I will post a few more pictures just for fun.

When I was a teenager we had occasional Sunday evening gatherings at someone's home after evening services that were called Afterglows. I remember one Sunday evening about 25 years ago like it was yesterday. After we had partaken in some food, our youth pastor gathered us in the host home family room around a boom box and popped in a cassette tape. He opened his Bible and read from Matthew 25.

31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
He then played the following song that has left an indelible impression on me to this day.



If you want to hear Keith introduce the song himself, watch this.

A very helpful rabbit trail

I was doing some long term worship planning today when I was side tracked by a Keith Green song. Keith Green was always one of my favorites back in the day. I was never able to see Keith live in concert, but this afternoon through the magic of the internet I spent some time watching clips of Keith. He was definitely a radical, a Jesus freak! He was continually challenging the church and Christians to radical transformation and obedience.

I decided to share a few of my favorite Keith Green songs with you over the next week or so. The first one fits well as an complement to Pastor Ron's sermon this Sunday. Enjoy!

Surf and Slide

Our NYI President, Shane Endicott is doing a fabulous job with the youth of Wenatchee Naz. With the support of his wife Crystal, Shane has committed one of his days off each week to spend with our students.

This week we ventured to Moses Lake to spend the day at Surf and Slide Water park. We had a group of 25 for this fun filled day at the beach.

Shane, you're the best! Keep up the good work!

Coming soon:

• Next up is a game day on July 20th.
  
• The following week is Creation at The Gorge. Shane has won 4 free tickets for the entire event. See Shane by this Sunday if you are interested in going and we will draw to see who gets the free tickets.
  
• July 26th through 28th is a backpacking trip for any interested guys. Spider Meadows will be a great hike and with great views. Please let Shane or I know by Sunday if you are interested in going so we can gather enough gear.
  

Very belated birthday party

Katie's 12th birthday was 6 weeks ago but due to a very hectic year end schedule with school and church we weren't able to have her birthday party with her friends until this last weekend. They had fun being silly girls and I am a very proud dad of a wonderful young lady.

Father-Daughter fishing

My eldest daughter Katie and I were invited by one of her school chums to come along fishing with she and her Dad on the fourth of July. I haven't had a fishing license in over 5 years but we gladly accepted. I am what I call a casual fisherman. If some one asks me to go I'll come along with them but I don't ever think of going fishing on my own. I did fish a fair amount in college with my roommate so I have all the gear and look the part even though I am NOT much of a fisherman. I go along for the friendship and camaraderie.

We went up to the Bebe bridge near Chelan Falls and fished in the Columbia near a creek inlet to the river. We had a good time with each other although the girls were more excited to swim and giggle than fish. Katie did catch one fish and I caught 3. There were all the same kind of fish although I have no idea what kind of fish it is. Who can help me out? What kind of fish is this? Here's Katie with her catch!

Not so fast.......

I started viewing General Assembly online this morning and was shocked to see them voting for General Superintendent again. I did some searching and found that early this morning Dr. John Bowling had rescinded his election as the 38th General Superintendent. You can read more by clicking here.

The assembly moved to electing a new General Superintendent and very quickly elected Stan Toler. Stan is a pastor in Oklahoma and was just recently elected the DS for his district. Stan is a prolific author and public speaker. You can read more about Stan by clicking here and here.

Historic week for Nazarene's

As I have shared recently, our denomination is in the midst of our every four year General Assembly in Orlando, FL. For several reasons this was a very pivotal Assembly. One of those reasons is that 3 General Superintendents were to be elected. There are only 6 total so half of the General Superintendents were to be replaced. (There is a mandatory retirement age that forced the retirement of Nina Gunter, James Diehl and Paul Cunningham) As of this evening all 3 of the Superintendents have been elected.

The first to be elected was Dr. Eugenio Duarte, regional director for Africa and a native of the island of Brava in the Cape Verde Islands. Dr Duarte became the first citizen from outside the USA/Canada Region elected to the Church of the Nazarene's Board of General Superintendents in the 100 year history of the denomination on Tuesday, June 30. You can read more about Dr. Duarte by clicking here.

The second to be elected was Dr. John Bowling, my Pastor during my freshman year of college at Olivet Nazarene University. He was pastor of College Church, in Kankakee, IL at the time. Shortly after I left Olivet he became the President of the University where he is currently serving. You can read more about Dr. Bowling by clicking here.

The third to be elected, on the 22nd ballot, was David Graves. Rev Graves is currently the Senior Pastor of College Church in Olathe, KS. You can read more about Rev Graves by clicking here.

You can download the Quadrennial written report from the Board of General Superintendents by clicking here. (you will have to create a free account to download the report)

You can still watch the proceedings live on www.nazarene.org or you can watch archived footage of the last few days at the same address. We're marching forward as a denomination

Backping trip to Lake Ingalls

I've been gone the last two days on a backpacking trip to Lake Ingalls with my good friend Larry Pusey. Great views and great conversation was the order of the last few days.

We made camp just short of the saddle that leads to the bowl that contains Lake Ingalls. We had a beautiful campsite that was protected from the howling wind that whipped through at night but we were still afforded a beautiful view just outside the tent. Can you see Mt Rainier in the distance?

We hiked to Lake Ingalls on Monday and spent the afternoon there having lunch, reading and napping in no particular order. The lake is still frozen but is melting out quickly, you can see little pools of water near the edges of the shoreline. I plan to go back in a few weeks with my daughter Katie when the wildflowers are in full bloom and Mt Stuart is reflecting in a thawed lake so I can fill my memory card on my camera with beautiful images. Speaking of my camera, you won't believe that I forgot it on the front pew of church on Sunday. Fortunately Larry brought along a small digital camera that he allowed me to use for most of the trip.

I have read many trip reports of mountain goats in the Cascades but have never experienced them myself until this trip. We saw goats neraly our entire time near the top. They woke us up in the morning tromping through our camp and hung around us as we ate. At one point we had over 15 goats within about 25 feet of us. They were very tame and most of them had a young kid (is that the right term?) in tow. Mother and child made sounds like a little baby crying quietly. It was fun to watch them run up and down the steep slopes that Larry and I were lumbering over.

I'm taking a group of teens to Spider Meadows on a backpacking trip July 26-28. Anybody interested in coming along?