I met with Pastor Gibson today to talk about a banquet he is holding to recognize Christian leaders in the community that are making a difference. We talked for almost an hour. He is hoping to get those that claim to be Christians to come together and do something for the community, this banquet being an initial step.
I shared with him a desire to really help people, the main reason I became a Christian in the first place.
When I think about unity, I believe that there is a time to do something. I have found in my life that one thing that can build goodwill and togetherness is a common project. Pastor Gibson and I have disagreements about the finer points of doctrine, not about salvation, but about gifts of the Spirit. I can spend three hours going back and forth with him about cessation of certain gifts. We disagree on Biblical hermenutics – I tend to take a historical approach, he seems to take an allegorical approach. We could spend days talking about the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. My approach is modern, his is more inline with second century thinkers. We have very different church cultures – I prefer more contemplative and quiet services, he prefers energetic services. Someday we will talk about how we can help each other in this way.
But when it comes down to it, am I really being a Christian? Am I serving my community? Here is a man that believes he is called by God to serve the community through education, ministry, and just caring. He is getting different people involved and trying to help those hurting in our city – those that need to see God in their suffering.
I want to help. I told him that I tend to be good on ideas and bad with details, but that I want to be involved. I offered the two things I know I can do well: present material extemporaneously (definition 2, without notes) and work on computers. As the organization comes together, I’d like to join its board of directors. It is in the process of being licensed as a 501(c)3.
Why was I excited to post about this? Because it is time to exercise my faith instead of talk about it. If people within the ICoC subculture do not understand my vision of unity, maybe a demonstration would be more helpful. To many people, talk is cheap. When I say that I believe the ICoC needs outside help to understand unity, this program is a demonstration of one kind of help we need. This is the kind of help that shows that those that profess Christianity can come together and do Christian things. No single denominatioh has to do everything themselves. (The other kind of help would be best received by those more closely associated with us doctrinally. This kind of help includes issues of polity, caring for members, leadership culture, and the like.)
What I Am Not Saying
I am not saying that doctrine is unimportant. I am saying that I will not use doctrine as a barrier to perform acts of Christian service in my community. A non-Christian does not tend to understand why we cannot come together to do good, even if we disagree about doctrine. My Muslim friend, especially, does not understand why people would spend so much time trying to convince “other Christians”(her words) that they are not Christians because they are not the same as you are. Yes, it is oversimplifying and inaccurate, but non-Christians I know see do not understand that.
I feel comfortable teaching someone doctrine. More importantly, I feel comfortable teaching them how to determine doctrine for themselves. What I cannot do, though, is effectively explain 2000 years of sectarianism. I can teach that how a person lives and what a person believes is equally important (1 Tim 4:16). What I cannot do is demonstrate how doctrine can be used as an excuse to live a less godly life. I also cannot reconcile Mark 9:38-41 with having to serve the city only within my denoimination.
I look forward to letting you know more as things develop. It is encouraging that there just might be a place for a liberal like me, I am doing this with my minister’s blessing. Pray for us that we can make a difference in our city.