In a few weeks, meetings for the Scioto County Ministerial Association will resume. The September meeting features a guest speaker from the ecumenical organization, Churches Uniting in Christ. I cannot remember her name but I understand she holds a prominent position therefore it promises to be very interesting meeting.
The ecumenical movement involves the promotion of unity among diverse Christian groups/denominations, generally through the establishment of interdenominational organizations (e.g. World Council of Churches, in the present case- Churches Uniting in Christ).
Typically, CofC's do not think highly of ecumenical efforts. It is rare to find CofC ministers or elders involved in local ministerial associations/alliances. It simply is not an effort that we tend to think worthwhile, in fact, a good number of folks view it as counterproductive, even altogether wrong.
Why?-you ask (I know you're asking).
I believe the answer has to do with both skepticism and pride.
We are skeptical that such an effort could ever succeed. The first explanation I ever received about ecumenicism was as follows: Ecumenicism is when a bunch of churches get together and pare down their beliefs until they can all agree; what is left is not worth believing at all.
Pride comes from the unspoken notion that we have achieved a good measure of success restoring the NT church. Though no one would claim perfection, we tend to see ourselves as far closer to God's ideal than other Christian groups. So much so, we really have nothing to gain from any significant interaction with other "Christians". In fact, we run the risk of being negatively influenced by their beliefs and religious practices. [The above paragraph is a bit blunt- I am not saying many folks are actually this blatantly prideful, however, I do believe this prideful spirit is at play in the back of our collective mind]
What is lost in all this, is the quest for Unity. Unity is not highly valued in our fellowships. Historically speaking, we are the offspring of an effort for Christian unity. To once again place a high value on unity is to put pressure on other areas of conviction. Typically, students of CofC's note the contrast between the values of biblical authority and unity. In the earliest days of the Stone-Campbell Movement, both biblical authority and unity were highly valued, with unity being (arguably) the driving force.
In the present time, most CofC folks with whom I have interacted, tend to think of biblical authority and unity as competing agendas. To move toward greater acceptance of other "Christians" is to sacrifice important elements of biblical authority. We refuse to do that, therefore, unity is only possible if others become more like us.
If you have a history in CofC's, this tension between biblical authority and unity should ring familiar.
What are your thoughts thus far?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Interested in your thoughts-
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
I think what you've said is very interesting. I have been a part of the church of Christ for 16 years now and I'm stilling learning what it means to be one.
I see myself as a sister to anyone who is following Jesus Christ and so I don't feel that I have issues personally with other groups as long as they are following the Lord.
I would hate to think that we feel we are better than other Christians because of our own efforts to accomplish the ways of the past (N.T. church practices). It seems like we would come across to other people as being all-knowing and full of ourselves.
If people are being drawn in and getting saved through how we are doing things, then I'd say we're doing right...but if this is not happening, then we need to re-evaluate our actions and ask God to show us where we are wrong so it can be fixed.
I would love to work side by side with Christians all over the world to accomplish a common goal. I do not have a problem with unity unless my God has a problem with it. I want to love what He loves and hate what He hates.
Jennifer
I appreciate what you are expressing, Jennifer. I think that many of the folks with whom you and I attend services each week would also agree. There is a growing "attitude" of openess to differing Christian groups and an increased willingness to work with others on common goals. I, personally, see this as a very great positive.
However, before we get too excited about these positive signs, we must recognize that, as of yet, we are not really doing anything about it.
Let me explain by way of a personal illustration. I participate in a study group with 3 men from different affiliations. The host of the group will often comment on how it is that the 4 of us can get along so well, yet Christians throughout the community cannot come together. I have repeatedly stated that the reason we get along is because we are not doing anything. Were the 4 of us to work together on actually proclaiming the gospel to a responsive hearer(s) or even simply work together on a worship service; our differences would emerge. All of us would be forced to give-in on some issues that we hold dear. We would all have to seriously consider the limits of biblical authority (as we each understand it) and decide if we can give as much as is being asked.
Odds are, before its all said and done, our fellowship of friendship and mutual respect would breakdown. Therefore, the fact that we can sit down together and enjoy, even encourage, one another in our individual relationships with Christ is good, but not all that significant in the greater scheme of things. The really hard work of unity has yet to be done.
And, I suppose the point of this is just that: Unity is hard, hard work! We will need to value unity greatly in order to sustain the effort required.
Good point, Jason.
Jennifer
Wonder what's happened? Not too many people posting or interacting here anymore??
Anyway...On ecumenicalism...
Theoretically, it's a great concept. In my mind, there a several denominations that I readily associate with the word "ecumenical." These denominations used to handle Biblical Truth in a much more reverent manner. For ecumenicalism to work, there must be some immovable, un-get-aroundable, foundations. Theologically, there may be many concepts that we can agree on and work together, but operationally there is a present-day rift that springs from either a commitment to God's word as relevant, binding, and Sovereign or a commitment to God's word as just some good suggestions that are interpretable per individual. Perhaps we have more in common with Catholicism and the Presbyterian Church in America where Biblical Accuracy and Authority are concerned than with other protestant groups.
Just some thoughts...
I am not a big ecumenist by any means. Ecumenism seems like love pre-planned by committee or something.
But if we just genuinely love each other we might also finally understand each other. This call to love is not meant to be softheaded, it is meant to challenge us to explore what it means to love "our brothers and sisters." I think "love" is almost naught but a platitude in most of modern life; but Christ tells his disciples that the world will know they are Christians if they love one another. Well, what does that mean? Who is my brother? How do I love him; how should I love him?
Asking these questions in pursuit of true Christian charity is the cornerstone to church unity, and true ecumenism. Or so I believe.
Peace.
Bill Gnade
Post a Comment