Better Together

Ecumenical is word that should often be spoken in the Christian ranks. It’s a
word that combines the efforts of different congregations and
denominations for a common good. It’s a word that sees past the fences of
separation into the community of need and shoulders the task as one
together in unity and love.
A good example of ecumenical effort was displayed in our church this past
week. A group known as Kairos (meaning God’s time) used our buildings for
effective ministry. Kairos is a ministry that serves to build the church within
the prison walls. Since Hutchins has a state facility in our city limits (sort
of) and our church is nearby it made sense for them to use our buildings. But
what is so amazing about the Kairos system is that it uses laymen and clergy
from differing denominations to display the model of the Christian church
within the prison.
I have been blessed to go in on two of the Kairos teams and see the work up
close and personal. What I experienced was a fascinating look into what the
Holy Spirit can and will do when the body of believers (accustomed to
building walls of separation) for the moment looks beyond those walls and
works in unity to see lost souls saved. I was a bit skeptical the first time
looking for doctrinal errors in the teaching and since I was serving beside a
Catholic, a Methodist, and an Episcopalian not to mention a
“Nondenominational Tongue Talker”, it seemed the differences would be
simple to find, but to my surprise our common truths were the emphasis not
our differences. Even one of the “brothers in white” (prisoners) said to me
“this didn’t mean anything until I found out all the churches thought this was
important enough to do together, and then it was like everything. It just
broke me to know I was loved by Jesus this much.”
Inside the prison any one of the team members may be asked by a prisoner
to counsel and pray (my first trip in I was blessed to able to lead a lifer to
Jesus) they can choose who they want to pray with – it’s not about what
denomination is represented it’s about Jesus’ love being shared.
I’m not here to advocate Kairos in particular (though I believe it is a
marvelous ministry) rather I am saying we have so many areas where we
should show this world we are united as the body of Christ. I often wonder
what keeps it from coming to fruition where in every city we are not seeing
churches holding hands united in prayer for students going to school in that
community, or gathered as one to pray for our city council members, or
further going on visitation and making clear that in our city there is a choice
to where you can worship but as a community we are all united in praying for
your soul.
One thing for sure it is not common (though there are spurts of Ecumenical
works all over) but it is needed. The fear is always the same - we will
somehow dilute our doctrines and fail to support the fence we have so
earnestly worked to build. It saddens me that we can’t find areas of ministry
where the entire Christian church can unite and work arm-in-arm.
In the Kairos meeting I had my feet washed by a Catholic Priest; it was one
of the most moving moments in my spiritual life. Even more moving was when
I washed the feet of an Episcopalian, I couldn’t help but think that the love
shown me by my Catholic brother was affecting how then I was serving.
What I am saying is there are areas of ministry that should cross
denominational barriers. What I am not saying is that there is no need for
different denominations. I’m fully aware that many of the so called non-
denominational churches hold that denominationalism is of the devil but I
have had the pleasure of being in both tribes and know neither to be as
perfect as they both proclaim. Yet together under certain circumstances
nothing has a greater impact.
I would like to ask that you pray about what it is in your community that
could better be performed if all the churches in your community would serve
as one. After you have prayed about the need ask God to perform the
miracle of unity. I will be the first to say it is not an easy barrier to
breakthrough but if one will but pray God will make a way.