HERE IN THE REAL WORLD

Unity. Everyone seems to have their version of what unity among believers is all about. Since we are Christians, we are using the same book. We are reading the same verses and attempting to practice God’s will. Yet unity remains an elusive dream. Among Churches of Christ, which is historically a unity movement, there are 25+ sects. Most of them make the exclusive claim that they alone are the ones who believe correctly. Shall we dare to examine Christendom?  The very word ‘denomination’ denotes disunity.

There is, in my heart, a longing for unity among all believers. I think I can best communicate that by sharing an experience with you.

In August of 2005, our home on the Mississippi Gulf Coast was flooded when Katrina roared ashore near Bay St. Louis. Millions of people were affected by the largest natural disaster ever to be experienced on American soil. In those early days with no power, no supplies, and no communications, we wondered just what was going to happen. Little did we know that Christians across the United States were gathering supplies, packing trailers, loading up tools, and making their way to the Coast.

If I recall correctly, the first crews to arrive were of our familiar Church of Christ family. We felt so blessed that anyone would take the time and energy to come to our rescue. It wasn’t long, though, before there were Methodists, Lutherans, Baptists, Christian Church folk, Mennonites, and Episcopalians were gathering at our church building seeking opportunity to serve. Honestly, I was amazed. I still am.

I suppose it’s true that there were some atheists and nonbelievers who also arrived and helped with the humanitarian effort. I applaud their love for humanity and we were grateful for anyone who came to help.

There was, however, a special bond with those who came in faith. They prayed with us, gave us money, left behind unused tools and supplies, went back to their churches with incredible reports and returned with even more help. Young and old arrived from all over the United States, Mexico, Canada, and even a lady from Israel.

During the time when we had nothing and Christ-followers came to help us, a special bond was formed. Our tears mingled on one another’s shoulders. When we worshiped, we lifted our voices and hands to the same God. We trusted the same Jesus for our salvation. We opened our Bibles and read words of Scripture that we treated with respect, treasured revelation from God.

Once we had a makeshift auditorium back in place, power restored, and ministry efforts under way we began to try to minister to the soul as well as the body. One night we showed the last of the Matthew videos, depicting the crucifixion of Christ. As I was on my way out after the service, a Mennonite stranger took my hand, looked me in the eye and said, “We are brothers.” Yes, we are.

December of 2005 brought what we thought was a pretty sad Christmas. But God was not limited in His desire to show love to the devastated Coast. A cruise ship had been appropriated by FEMA and was docked at the port of Pascagoula. Somehow the government gave us permission to have a Christmas party on that ship, and gifts were brought from several churches in Nashville. Two of those churches gave gifts to every member of our church. Not little token gifts, either. They really sought to bless us – and did. Then, some other churches banded together to provide gifts to every child on the FEMA ship. Church of Christ insiders know that Nashville is practically our headquarters (although we eschew the headquarters talk, rightfully so!). Some of these churches that were working together to provide gifts and holiday cheer have nothing to do with one another in Nashville! They were enemies in Nashville, but worked together on the Coast! I had to tell one minister on the phone to keep his problems in Nashville, we didn’t want them! He still came down and did a great job helping.

In March of 2006 we had preaching every night at our building. Some nights we had only a few, some nights a big crowd. Usually the big crowd was from a church someplace that had imported a bunch of college or high school students. I typically would ask their minister to speak to us that night. It was not uncommon to ask for the group leaders to pray for us. I did this without trying to find out their denominational affiliation, nor quizzig them on the foundations of faith. In the mixed emotions from our own losses coupled with the overwhelming expression of love from strangers, God touched my heart in a big way. I began to see the love of Christ in these wonderful souls who worshiped under different signs than the one in our yard. Through their camaraderie in our distress, I found the love of Christ in unexpected places.

Just to clarify, this did not sit well with all of my Church of Christ brothers and sisters. After all, we have been raised to think that we read the Bible correctly, others do not. Denominational people misunderstand important items and we should be teaching them – we have nothing to learn from them! Some of our support from some Church of Christ congregations was withdrawn because of our acceptance of those who had come to help us. I know that will sound strange to some, but I understood it then, and I do now.

In my last days in Pascagoula, after sixteen years of ministry there, I sat in a circle at First Presbyterian church. This building was just a block from our building, but I had only been in it twice – for funerals.  In that circle was the pastor for First Presbyterian, the pastor for Church on the Rock, a retired minister who called himself presbymethodist, and a few others. We prayed for one another, repented of the division that had existed between us, and pledged to do what we could to promote unity and good will between our churches.

Out of the destruction and pain that Katrina brought to us came a beautiful experience of Christian unity – the kind that exalts people over doctrinal peculiarities. As a matter of disclosure I can safely say that not all Church of Christ people will go with me here. Some will mark me as lost or consider me apostate at best. I’m sure not everyone in my current congregation thinks the way I do about these issues. I don’t judge them, I know where we come from.

Answers? No, I do not have all the answers. I do know that truth is essential, and that we must all seek God with our whole hearts. I look around at the most gifted and educated ministers I know, and they do not agree with each other on any number of issues. I’m more inclined to think that there is one issue that rises above all: loving God and His Son. I do not play the “my church is better than your church” game. I do have convictions. I don’t know why others have arrived at different convictions. But most have. I respect one who loves Jesus and searches the Scriptures who comes to a different conclusion than I do. In fact, any two people who decide to worship together have done this.

I do not think this means we all have to worship in the same building in the same way and have the same comprehension of every teaching. But I am convinced that if I fail to love, care for, serve, and encourage my fellow believers that I am in sin. Unity, to me, is more about attitude than location or agreement.

In the midst of disaster, God opened a window and demonstrated for us how beautiful it really is for brothers to dwell together in unity. Yes, they all went home to their own churches. The little church that turned a city upside down has gotten back to business as usual. I’ve moved to preach for another body of believers in the same fellowship in which I’ve grown up.

I’m not sure how to say what I feel about unity, but I hope that the picture of what happened on the Coast in the year following the storm is a story that expresses it well enough. I long for all disciples of Christ to love each other without walls between them.  Those walls, and death, may be the last things Jesus will destroy upon His return.

John Dobbs

John Dobbs is the preaching minister for the Forsythe Church of Christ in Monroe, Louisiana. He is married to the former Margaret Willingham and they have two children, two grandchildren, and a daschund named Jackson. John is a social networking geek and has a blog at http://johndobbs.com. Follow him on facebook at http://facebook.com/johndobbs and on Twitter @johndobbs. John hopes when he grows up to be tall, thin, with a full head of hair. In lieu of that, he’ll take ice cream.

–

Be well, do good work, stay in touch.
www.johndobbs.com

A big thanks to Chris Stanley, Chris Gallagher, Paula Harrington, Doug Young, Tim Archer, Trey Morgan, and John Dobbs for taking part in Unity Month. Please stop by their websites and read more of their inspiring writings!

If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

I grew up in a large family. When I was a young boy, we combined two families into one. All of a sudden there were nine of us living under one roof. A family of nine, very different people living together is never an easy thing. We had lots of things to work through, but one of the things my parents never let us do was fight, fuss and argue. They preached to us that we were “family” and families loved one another and learned to get a long.

This message of unity was preached to us so often that every time someone led a prayer in our family, they asked God to help us to not, “fuss, fight and argue.” The phrase “fuss, fight and argue” because such a regular saying around our house that it pretty much became one long run-together word in our prayers … “And help us not to fuss-fight-n-argue.”  I’m proud of the unity that my parents preached when we were small. I’m also proud that today our family still gets along great.

I believe unity is one of the most under preached subjects there is (guilty as charged). I also think the average Christian does not consider unity a serious bible subject. In fact, many will simply looked at the subject of this post on unity and move on because it’s not a “serious” subject. Yet the bible has a lot to say about the unity of believers…

“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.” 1 Corinthians 1:10

“I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.” ~ Jesus (John 17:23).

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:2-6

Okay here’s my point, despite the bible calling us to be unified, we have become Christians who are more comfortable with division than we are unity. When we don’t agree with one another on matters of opinion or even on Biblical matters we choose division over being unified. We’d rather fuss, fight and argue than learn to get along.

I can’t imagine the Lord being happy about this.

When will we get through our heads that unity and the ability to get along is pleasing to God. Sadly we’ve made other churches, and people we differ with on biblical subjects, our enemy. Let me just say, other churches and people we don’t agree with are NOT our enemy … Satan is. We will never defeat the enemy when we’re fighting among ourselves.

We must learn to differ without dividing.

What we need is less criticism and more love. We need less brotherhood police and more focus on the things that really matter. We need more people willing to put others’ needs before their own.

I don’t have to agree with everyone in order to love them, respect them and be kind to them.

Today my prayer is the same it’s always been … “Lord, please help us to become a people who choose NOT to fuss-fight-n-argue. Amen”

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14

The two best decisions I ever made were both made early in life. At a young age I decided to follow Jesus, and not too much later in life, I decided to follow around a cute brown-eyed girl named Lea. After 21 years of marriage, Lea and I find ourselves loving our marriage together and the joys of raising our four boys, Taylor, Parker, Connor & Cooper.   (Trey is minister at Childress Church of Christ in Childress, Texas).  TreyMorgan.net

Unity month will wind up in a few days with Big Poppa John Dobbs- Out Here Hope Remains


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

The more I listen to others, the more I’ve come to realize that the closing message of Psalm 120 is resonating with a lot of people. It definitely resonates within me. “Too long have I made my dwelling among those who hate peace. I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war” (Psalm 120:6-7, ESV).

Psalm 120 constitutes the beginning of the Songs of Ascent. Traditionally, these psalms were sung by Jewish people as they made their pilgrimages to Jerusalem for their high feast days. Since Jerusalem was located on a mountain, no matter what direction people traveled from, they were ascending.

The mess the nation had created for itself often made them feel like strangers in their own land. They were surrounded by pagan peoples of all variations. Many no longer lived in Palestine, but they traveled to Jerusalem, nonetheless, to commune with God and their people. And so it is that they sung this hymn.

It is an expression of a deep longing for peace. But peace is hard to come by, especially, when the very mention of it elicits rally cries for war.

Divide…Conquer…Dominate…Control… Such are the words of conflict, hostility and warfare. Sole survival for some has been thereby. They will not have peace. War is all they want. A significant shift in Israel had taken place. They were no longer the power they once were. Peaceful existence was their only real option.

Then comes the ministry of Jesus, the Messiah. Finally, a crystallized effort is put forth for something different. A kingdom unlike any other begins to surface, proclaiming a message of peace not war, a message of love not hate. Could it really be? Could there be a kingdom “not of this world” (John 18:36)?

The call of this kingdom is a call for peace. The Prince of Peace, himself, said, “Blessed are the peacemakers…” (Matthew 5:9). The writers of the epistles advocated similarly. Several of these are emphatic commands, but do we take them as seriously as we do other commands? Still, they serve to support the message and mission of the Messiah,

Live in harmony with one another. Romans 12:16, ESV

If possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all. Romans 12:19, ESV

So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22, ESV

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14, ESV

And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:18, ESV

It has been said by many that Christians, too often today, are more known for what they are against than what they are for. This is terribly unfortunate. My prayer is that we won’t just stand against certain things, but that rather we will stand up for something. Unity was Jesus’ hope for his followers (John 17:21-23) and we must “be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3)!

Doug Young has been involved in pulpit ministry for the last 10 years, but now works with the New Mexico Christian Children’s Home in Portales, NM. He is working on a Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation degree through Abilene Christian University. It is a curriculum designed to promote peacemaking and reconciliation through effective dialogue and mediation.

He and his wife, Tisha, are into their 14^th year of marriage. They have three kids: Haylee (9), Aby (8), and Reese (6). His blog can be found at http://douglasryoung.net.

Unity month continues and winds up next week with (August 24) Trey Morgan- Treymorgan.net and (August 29) Big Poppa John Dobbs- Out Here Hope Remains


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

“Los hermanos sean unidos…” — May brothers be united. That’s the first line from a famous poem in Argentina, Martín Fierro, by José Hernández. The entire section says:

May brothers be united,

For this is the first law.

May their union be true,

No matter what comes.

For if they fight among themselves,

They’ll be devoured by outsiders.

I don’t know anything about Hernández’ religious beliefs, but the wisdom expressed in his poetry certainly applies to Christians. We as Christians must stand united, for if we fight among ourselves, we will surely be devoured.

Charles Hodge once said, “The church is the only army in the world that shoots its wounded.” Many Christians have been felled by so-called friendly fire.

As we sit and fight our petty fights, Satan sits back and laughs. We forget at times who the enemy is. It’s not our fellow Christians.

There is a church in the United States that sends representatives to churches throughout Latin America, leaving a trail of division in their wake. Brother is set against brother and congregation against congregation. A doctrinal litmus test is applied, and those that fail are shunned.

Of course, all this is nothing new. The apostle John wrote: “I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to be first, will have nothing to do with us. So if I come, I will call attention to what he is doing, gossiping maliciously about us. Not satisfied with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers. He also stops those who want to do so and puts them out of the church.” (III John 9-10)

Gossiping about other brothers. Refusing to welcome certain brothers and criticizing those that do. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? It was a problem then, and it’s a problem today.

So what do we do about it? I think poet Edwin Markham has a good suggestion:

He drew a circle that shut me out–

Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.

But Love and I had the wit to win:

We drew a circle that took him in!

We don’t fight fire with fire. We don’t overcome hatred with hatred. The mightiest weapon we have is a simple one: LOVE.

Because there’s already enough fussing and fighting.

May brothers be united…

Tim Archer is the Coordinator of Spanish-speaking Ministries for Herald of Truth Ministries. He holds Masters degrees in Bible and in Interpersonal Communication, both from Abilene Christian University. He has spent more than two decades working in Spanish ministry, including 15 years in Argentina. Tim preaches for the bilingual service at the University Church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, and serves as adjunct professor of Bible at Abilene Christian University. Letters From The Lamb, a book Tim coauthored with Steve Ridgell, was published in 2009 by 21st Century Christian.

Unity month continues this week with (August 19) Doug Young- douglasryoung.net/ and winds up next week with (August 24) Trey Morgan- Treymorgan.net and (August 29) Big Poppa John Dobbs- Out Here Hope Remains


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

When I think of examples of unity in the Bible, a few names quickly come to mind.

Mary and Martha were friends of Jesus and there are times when I feel as Martha did in Luke 10:38 ff. She wanted everything to be perfect and felt it was her duty to see that it was. However, she quickly lost herself in the details of the day and let what someone else was doing (or not doing) blind her from where she needed to be.

As she hurried around the house making preparations her sister, Mary, sat at the feet of the Messiah. In Martha’s eyes, her sister didn’t care as much as she did. She wasn’t interested in the day’s event. She had become indifferent to what was going on around her. Surely, the Lord would see it her way but leave it to the Son of God to straighten out this devout woman’s near-sightedness (Luke 10:41-42).

Unity begins when we stop seeing others through our own eyes and start seeing them through the eyes of Jesus. However, it’s easy to jump to conclusions and common to get caught up in the here and now. May we never become so focused on another’s shortcomings (or what we perceive them to be) that we lose sight of our goal.

Another one of my favorite examples of unity (or the lack thereof) is found in Philippians 4. Euodia and Syntyche were church going Christian women who had been helping the Apostle Paul spread the Gospel.  They could have been the potluck organizers, shower decorators, and enthusiastic Bible class teachers. They could’ve been converting the masses or the best writers or teachers in the country but the Lord didn’t want us to know about all the good they had accomplished.  He wanted their names remembered for another reason.

Scripture doesn’t give many details regarding what these women were doing but we do know what they weren’t doing. They weren’t getting along. They weren’t loving each other the way God intended. They weren’t encouraging their brothers and sisters in the faith. They weren’t being Christ-like. They certainly weren’t united.

Christians, it’s time to make amends and heal wounds. We need to move forward and spread the Kingdom outward. There are apologies that need to be offered and apologies that need to be accepted. We have a duty to save those perishing in this world but how will we ever complete our mission if we can’t even get along with one another? Remember, the enemy revels in our strife and division.

Let’s meet at the feet of Jesus. In a world marred by sin and heartache, that’s the only place where peace will reign, hearts will be healed, and lives will be changed.

Unity matters and it starts with a loving attitude, a forgiving nature, and a heart for Jesus.

Paula Harrington is a columnist for Forthright.net. Her work has appeared in Christian Woman magazine and the Christian Chronicle newspaper. She is the compiler and editor of the book, A Sunday Afternoon with the Preachers’ Wives. A mother of five, she enjoys teaching children and speaking at ladies’ events. More of her material may be found at www.paulaharrington71.blogspot.com or www.forthright.net/encouraging_word

Unity month continues “Here In The Real World” next week with (August 17) Tim Archer- Kitchen of Half Baked Thoughts and (August 19) Doug Young- douglasryoung.net/


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

“When elephants fight, it’s the grass that gets hurt.” (East African Proverb)

The old east African proverb speaks volumes regarding the unity of the church. Those outside the church see our lives as mirrors of Jesus’ life. As followers of Christ, Christians must be sure even in their disputes and disagreements, they are living the light of Christ. (Matthew 5.16).

Allow me to share with you three quick ways to find unity. Understand these are not concrete principles which will solve every problem, but they are definite characteristics to strengthen unity or begin the unity process. Take a moment and examine the tips below and see what you think.

Three Ways to Find Unity:

1. Rely on the Word – The Bible is a gift from the Creator Almighty to mankind. It contains all we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1.3) and its words can be studied for years upon end. When two disagreeing individuals will examine what God wants from mankind, their eyes will begin to delve deeper into the Holy Writ. During their disagreement, each individual must open the Scriptures to ask what the Father’s words are concerning the matter. Simply put, the Bible is our roadmap to heaven, why argue about it when the Father has paved our way…all we have to do is follow His directions. (2 Timothy 3.16)

2. Pray – Every time I discuss disagreements in marriages (aka – “intense moments of fellowship“) I ask the couple to spend time in prayer before discussing the matter, during the discussion and after the discussion. Prayer is a vital aspect to people lives and many times takes a back seat during prayer. When one does pray during a dispute, they may pray for the other person to become enlightened, only to forget that we ourselves must be humble servants of the Most High so we can see His will working in our lives. When you pray, pray for yourself first.

3. Consider the Grass – As the East African proverbs says, “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that gets hurt.” Individuals must understand when they dispute; others risk being hurt from their words and actions. Whether the dispute is large or small, it is still personal in the eyes of each individual and their actions, whether public or private, can be effected. The effects of disputes may be short-lived, but most are long lasting effects.

In John 17, as the Messiah lifted His name and purpose to the Father, along with those disciples closest to Him, He also brought our names before the Almighty. He asks that all His followers may be one (John 17.21). The Messiah wanted His followers to become united as he left the earth. I believe He knew of the problems that could arise and how strength is found in unity.

The power of united believers is something the world must see each and every day. The world is tired of religious disputes and they are looking forward to religious unity based on the teachings of God’s word instead of man’s ideas.

“May God grant His followers and seekers time to discuss, pray and living in the unity found within the Word. Allow Your followers to shine the light of Your Son even through disagreements and disputes. Father, open our eyes to see our lives through Your eyes. Hinder us when we deviate from Your Word and grant us mercy each day. Refresh us to find You each morning and live united with Your Son every minute. Amen”

Just my thoughts,

Chris Gallagher

About Chris Gallagher:

Chris was born in Charleston, WV and appreciates his family roots in the foothills of the beautiful West Virginia mountains. Chris attended West Virginia University before transferring to Freed-Hardeman University and graduating in 1997. Chris is currently the minister for the Mount Pleasant Church of Christ in Mount Pleasant, SC. Chris has been privileged to speak and work with congregations and groups in several different states and stand in front of audiences as large as 1500. Chris desires to assist others in creating better lives today for a better day tomorrow by changing their current to one of achievement and purpose. Chris’ material and information may be found on his websites: The Preacher’s Pen (http;//www.preacherspen.org) and The Gallagher Institute (http://www.gallagherinstitute.com)

Chris is married to his beautiful wife, Carrie, and they have three wonderful children; Alexis, Emma and Caleb. Chris and his family reside in the Charleston, SC area.

Unity month continues Here In The Real World next with (August 12) Paula Harrington- Paula’s website

If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

I love our nation, and the freedom that we have. Our freedom has allowed me to openly profess my faith in Christ, attend church, study at a Christian university, and become a Christian minister. But with all of our freedom, what have we lost?  In a nation where the individual is lifted above the collective whole, unity is often hard to come by. We define ourselves in different levels of individuality; from macro (race, sex, age, etc.) to micro (clothing style, musical taste, etc.), creating a complex conglomeration of characteristics that makes us each unique.

Our freedom allows us to think independently, making our religious beliefs wide and varied.  Our current idea of “spiritual growth” has been greatly influenced by other world religions, with different “paths to enlightenment”.  While many world religions have valid truths, many Christians begin to pick and choose what they want to believe, instead of committing to the truths outlined in scripture.  With each person supposedly being on their own “path of spiritual growth with Christ,” we forget that Christ himself said there are only two paths, not many.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”- Matthew 7:13-14

With this, some also feel that “freedom of religion” equates to “freedom of Biblical interpretation.”  Instead of searching within God’s word to find truths, we decide what our own beliefs will be, and then use scripture to reinforce our own ideas. Listen in on many Biblical discussions and count the number of times that you hear the phrase “well, I think that…”  While some points are up to individual interpretation, others are more definite. With our own list of ideals, we begin to form lines of division, often starting with the most visible differences, and then whittling down to minor issues.  We see this in the division of Christianity, denominations, churches, and individuals.  Barriers are put up, to the point that we no longer interact with anyone- remember, the world says that we are each on a “personal path,” not a road that we are traveling together.  My friend Jamie sent me a great example of this the other day in an online discussion that he and I were having.

“So I go into a CiCi’s Pizza and I’m eating pizza by myself. A guy grabs a booth in front of me. He gets his pizza and sits down. He puts his head in his hands and starts to pray. I sat there watching him. My first reaction was I thought good for him to be honoring God with this prayer. But then I thought hey, he’s my brother in Christ – why aren’t we breaking bread together?!?! What a commentary on how far we’ve come from the union we should be sharing as fellow believers?! What’s wrong with us? The body of Christ is broken into millions of shards when we should be coming together whenever we find ourselves.”

We can become so consumed with our own personal spiritual growth that we begin to forget that true growth comes from interaction with fellow believers and our fellow man.  I’ve heard it said many times, the Bible is a book of relationships.  As we read in scripture, relational unity is required, because the body of Christ is not divided (1 Corinthians 12:14-26).

So, if we are divided, what does that say?  Are we the body of Christ as we profess?  There is a good possibility that we are not.

So what do we do?  Get our priorities straight. We have been called to be a part of something larger than ourselves- not an individual walk, but the narrow road, becoming a citizen of God’s Kingdom.  In His Kingdom, there is no macro or micro division- no differences in race, sex, culture, age, clothing or musical taste.

In order to fulfill the unity God wants in His Kingdom, submission is necessary; submission to Christ with our lives, and also to fellow believers.  This runs contrary to our American mindset, but it is necessary for harmony within the body of Christ.

“Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” -Ephesians 5:21

Submission. We need to come together on the points we agree upon, and then discuss our differences while studying scripture together.  We grow together, edify one another.  I am not a strong supporter of the emergent church movement; I feel the emergent belief often overlooks scriptural truth for the sake of congregational harmony.  But, at least it is an attempt at unity, with Christ being at the center.  Barriers are broken down, Christ is being raised, and relationships are being made.

When putting another’s concern above my own; it is less about me, and more about Christ. When we all act in submission to one another, something interesting happens- Christian Unity.

About Chris Stanley-

Chris Stanley- A heavily tattooed punk-rock guy who is a dedicated disciple of Christ.  Feeling called to go into ministry several years ago, I left my job, sold my house, and relocated to attend Mid Atlantic Christian University, working toward a degree in Leadership with a minor in preaching.  Currently, I am also the campus minister here at MACU, supported has lovely wife, Stephanie, and two great kids.

Thanks Chris for a great post!

Unity month continues Here In The Real World next week with (August 10)Chris Gallagher- The Preacher’s Pen and (August 12) Paula Harrington- Paula’s website

If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

The old Three Dog Night song proclaimed the truth that, “One is The Loneliest Number.” And there is nothing much truer. One can not only represent a person who is “away” from others, but one who is away from God. He is solo, or maybe we could say he is an island. Sadly though, “Two can be as bad as one. It’s the loneliest number since the number one.” And, for many of us that is what we have made our Christianity: Lonely. We have taken it upon ourselves to ostracize others from our fellowship. I’m not talking about from the fellowship in the world, but the fellowship of the church. We do this because others may not believe EXACTLY the way we would have then to believe. But, that difference in beliefs is not in the “essentials” of Christianity, but in things where there is no salvation issue involved.

Even in the Restoration Movement churches have split over such non salvific issues as “one cup or two,” or the use of instrumental music: both are issues where one is hard pressed to find salvation wrapped in their bounds. Alexander Campbell once wrote, “FOR WE FIND IN ALL PROTESTANT PARITES CHRISTIANS.” The very thing that Campbell could find in all protestant parties, we struggle with finding among our own.  For Thomas and Alexander Campbell the plans for the unity of the church was in brief, a restatement in slightly varying terms of Rupertus Meldinius’ famous maxim: “in essentials unity; in non-essentials liberty; in all things charity.” But, through the years we have allowed the non-essentials divide us and keep us from unity in the essentials. We can divide and disfellowship others because their grape juice might be fermented and of course we use “Welch’s: The Apostolic Drink since The Last Supper.” I shudder to think how many friends I will lose if word ever gets out that our church uses Wal-Mart Grape Juice.

Could it be that Carl Ketcherside was right when he said he could fellowship others on matters where they agreed without it being an endorsement  of the matters where they differed? Campbell himself said in the Lunenburg Letter that it was his belief that there were Christians in other parties.  Through the years it seems that we, Churches of Christ, have spent too much of our resources on arguing and debating this denomination or that one when in fact our time could have been better spent following the command of the Savior in Matthew 28:19-20: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

I don’t know of a scripture that says I am to go out and battle those who claim to believe in Christ but believe a little different than I do, but I am called to make disciples.  If we leave the liberal and conservative handles to the realm of politics and recognize what Campbell wrote in that letter and what Ketcherside came to believe we would make greater strides in making disciples.  So you go to your church and I’ll go to mine. But, let’s walk along together!

It is unity month at “Here In The Real World”. We will have several guest writers all writing on the topic of UNITY. Here is the list of writers and the date of their article:

August 5 Chris Stanley- Campus Minister at Mid Atlantic Christian University

August 10Chris Gallagher- The Preacher’s Pen

August 12 Paula Harrington- Paula’s website

August 17 Tim Archer- Kitchen of Half Baked Thoughts

August 19 Doug Young- douglasryoung.net/

August 24 Trey Morgan- Treymorgan.net

August 29 John Dobbs- Out Here Hope Remains


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

What’s love got to do with it? That is the question Tina Turner asked so many years ago. (And, yes I am old enough to remember when she rolled on the river!). But today is love nothing more than a word we toss around carelessly? Is it another word that we have watered down the meaning of? Tina said it was nothing more than a second hand emotion. What is love?

The word love (translated from a few different Greek words) is used 212 times in 183 verses in the Bible (ESV). Hate, by contrast, is used only 13 times. So there seems to be some importance attached to the word LOVE. And, rightly so. John wrote, “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). The very God that we say we worship is LOVE. But, how can we worship a God that is love and yet harbor hate for some many of our brothers and sisters?

If the very God that we worship is love should not our lives be overflowing with that very same love? Should our love not be inward and not motivated by self but our love for others? God gave Ten Commandments in the Old Testament and then in the New Testament the commands are cut down to two: And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30-31). Looking at the Ten Commandments, the first 4 show a love of God; the next 6 a love towards our fellow man. The embodiment of the commandments under both covenants is one thing: Love.

So what’s love got to do with it? Everything!

This week I am doing a guest blog over at The Preacher’s Pen. Several gust writers will be writing the next 6 weeks. Please stop by and see why we like the Church.

And Don’t Forget Next Month is a special month at “Here In The Real World”. We will have several guest writers all writing on the topic of UNITY. Here is the list of writers:

Chris Stanley- Campus Minister at Mid Atlantic Christian University

Chris Gallagher- The Preacher’s Pen

Paula Harrington- Paula’s website

Tim Archer- Kitchen of Half Baked Thoughts

Doug Young- douglasryoung.net/

Trey Morgan- Treymorgan.net

John Dobbs- Out Here Hope Remains


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!

As I write this today the baseball world is mourning the loss of New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner. The “Boss,” as he was known, was known for being able to put together a team that would almost always be in contention for the championship. He would always seem to come up with a team of greats. He knew it took a team.  One cannot think of baseball without remembering some of the great players of the past, and some of the great quotes they made. So, today, once more, I turn to the “diamond” for a little theology and find out that it takes a team.

Former Chicago Cubby Vance Law said, “When you’re in a slump, it’s almost as if you look out at the field and it’s one big glove.”  Sin in our lives is the same way. When we stumble and sin, the jaws of even more sin is waiting to devour us. Our desire for pleasure, fed by the sin, seems can never seem to be satisfied. One sin will lead to another and to another until we find ourselves deep in the pit and mire of sin totally living away from Christ.

James said that we are to “Therefore, confess [our] sins to one another” (James 5:16). We bring in our brother/sister in faith and let them know where we have failed, or where we are about to fall. That small act of humbling ourselves can take the weight of the world off our shoulders. It throws darkness into light. And, we all know when we turn on the lights the darkness is gone. It makes us accountable.

We live in a world where we think we can handle everything on our own. Unfortunately for some many of us that is not the case. And, when what we are trying to handle is sin it sometimes even gets hard to handle by ourselves. It takes a team. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25). We are to encourage each other. We are to encourage others just as they are to encourage us.  We can get all the self help books money can buy, but there is only one that helps with sin: The Bible. And, it encourages us to rely on the help of our brothers and sisters in Christ. It takes a team.

Baseball has long had a history of “greats of the game.” We cherish the memory of what these guys did on the field. Our faith is no different. The writer of Hebrews wrote, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin” (Hebrews 12:1). Our scriptures are filled with great stories of faith, and all around us great men and women of faith still bare witness. We need let these witnesses encourage us. We need to let them build us up not just in our time of need, but to refuel us at all times. It takes a team.

Former Yankee Billy Martin once said, “I may not have been the best Yankee to put on the pinstripes, but I am the proudest.” In our Christian walk it is a great thing that we don’t have a Father that keeps statistics like Major League Baseball does.  If that was the case we would none be considered “best Christians” because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But we serve a God that forgives and does not count our sins: I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins (Isaiah 43:25). When we rely on our teammates and follow the leading of our perfect Manager we can get past the sins that plague us and separate us from the Father. It takes a team!

Next Month is a special month at “Here In The Real World”. We will have several guest writers all writing on the topic of UNITY. Here is the list of writers:

Chris Stanley- Campus Minister at Mid Atlantic Christian University

Chris Gallagher- The Preacher’s Pen

Paula Harrington- Paula’s website

Tim Archer- Kitchen of Half Baked Thoughts

Doug Young- douglasryoung.net/

Trey Morgan- Treymorgan.net

John Dobbs- Out Here Hope Remains


If you are in the area come see me at the ROANOKE ACRES CHURCH OF CHRIST

Until next time May The Good Lord Bless And Keep You: All Y’all!