Sitting at the piano a few days ago, a song began running through my mind that I have not heard for - well, for many years.
The song was a collaborative endeavor. Ira Stanphill, the famous Gospel song composer was approached one day by a Presbyterian minister who had written a poem he wished set to music. Would Stanphill be willing? It's title was, "Be Thou My Guide."
Of all Stanphill's songs with which we are acquainted, this is probably my favorite. Sadly, it never "made the charts" as did so many that he wrote, or in this instance, took part in writing - "Room at the Cross"; "Mansion Over the Hilltop"; "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"; "Happiness Is," ad infinitum (in all over 500 songs).
As we played the song, my wife and I began discussing its origins. In addition to being a composer of songs, Stanphill was also a pastor - an Assemblies of God pastor. As I shared with my wife, might it not be that in so combining their gifts and abilities, two pastors of differing backgrounds - yet of a common faith in Christ - might not well have experienced the blessing of divine grace in a special way? (Among "men of the cloth," unfortunately, it does not always work that way - ask your pastor).
It also brought to mind another time and experience that we personally observed - again many years ago. We had gone to a large Western city to work in a Native American mission. In this city was a growing church of the particular denomination with which we were then affiliated. In fact, there were several churches of this tradition within the area. But this one was different.
Following the evening service each Sunday, this particular church had a live radio program (local church TV was not then what it has since become). On occasion we attended the program following our own service. Unlike so many churches, however, this church did not use the program to promote themselves. Each Sunday night they particularly featured the singers and musicians from another church in the area (more often than not, of some other denomination). Not only so - and as a pastor having been reared in a pastor's home, this was almost unbelievable to me - the home pastor would introduce the guest pastor, have him share briefly with the crowd and radio audience, making sure that he gave the name and location of his church (as well as services schedule) so that any listening who might so desire would know where and how to find it.
Furthermore, when an evangelical denomination of another tradition decided to plant a church in the city, this pastor and his church gave them free Sunday afternoon use of their own facility (which, incidentally, was by no means a shabby edifice) and would promote them to those of the area who tended to favor their identity and perspectives until they could develop a congregation and obtain a building of their own. Frankly, I had never seen anything like it.
The result of this kind of spirit? The church from which this all emanated was experiencing vibrant growth. Why? Simply this: Many of us have yet to learn that "we" are not the focal center of either the Gospel or the Kingdom. Jesus Christ is, and when we begin to share his sense of love and acceptance for others of his Body - even if they wear another "label," we begin coming into accord with the dynamic of His Spirit.
I have not been in that particular city now for many years and know nothing of its present state in terms of church related concerns. But while there in those earlier days, I began learning something that has become increasingly real to me throughout the years.
Burl Ratzsch
