Despite negative realities of the present - and we shall indeed ill survive the days to come if, as believers, we remain oblivious to that with which the Church of Jesus Christ is becoming increasingly challenged - it is nonetheless important to recognize that God's reign continues in the hearts and lives of the truly committed.
An example of God at work in the lives of his people is to be found in the growing awareness that His kingdom neither derives from, nor exists in consequence of, ecclesial politics or the humanly initiated, but rather Spirit-engendered dynamic reflecting a shared relationship with the Father and fellow believers - in other words, a community of "all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours," to quote the apostle (I Cor. 1:2).
There is something inherently contradictory in the not uncommon fact of biblically oriented congregations competing with, or indeed against, each other. We recall an occasion in which, having crossed from one state into another in a rurally oriented area of the South, we were immediately confronted by three Baptist churches in close proximity. In a portion of the country where few, if any, of the more liberally oriented ABC/USA churches (formerly known as "Northern Baptists") exist, the likelihood of significant doctrinal differences was slight. My observation at this point was that we were undoubtedly observing the product of endemic antagonisms and ongoing church fights.
It is not that difficulties of this nature are all that unusual. We similarly recall a situation some years ago in which two denominations of similar heritage had recently united. To my knowledge, there were no doctrinal distinctions between the two. Not long after, we were invited to speak at an area wide interfaith prayer rally which, on this occasion, was held at a church affiliated with the new body.
Following the service, a gentleman directed my attention to a nearby church - the two being quite visible from each other. It represented, he explained, a congregation from the other side of the recent merger. Apparently reflecting the rivalry of times past, neither congregation would yield to a sharing of either services or facilities with the other, despite their now belonging to the same fellowship. "By this," our Lord exhorted, "all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another." (John 13:35). Unfortunately, examples to the contrary yet abound.
This is not to advocate an ecumenicity devoid of defining standard or commitment to biblical values and mandates. Indeed, "what fellowship has light with darkness?" (II Cor. 6:14). It is encouraging, however, to witness growing numbers of valid Christian believers coming to recognize the unity of Christ's Body. Indeed, as we have often noted, "unity of the faith" constitutes the first stated objective in Paul's listing of divine objectives within the Church (Eph. 4:11-16).
Despite a growing cognizance of the need, answer will not be found in a competitive "non-sectarian sectarianism" approach to the situation as frequently proffered - such typically tending only to recreate the problem. Resolution will rather involve an enlarging sense of oneness with, and commitment to, fellow believers as based on a commonality of spiritual rebirth and devotion to Jesus Christ.
The Spirit will take it from there. God grant it to be so.
Burl Ratzsch
