"In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things, love."
Recently, I was at a church where the preacher was talking about missions (imagine that). He mentioned the Moravian church movement and their commitment to sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to all people. There's a great painting entitled "First Fruits" which portrays all the first converts from different tribes and clans. It's a marvelous picture of unity in diversity.
I've been wandering around with thoughts of the things that separate us and unify us. There's been a rift in our church that has exposed the sin of men in leadership. Not just our church, but the capital 'C' Church. But interestingly, these very rifts are allowing for new thoughts and ways of doing church to emerge. I think it's pretty exciting, if you ask me! However, there's much division rising up over views and interpretations that essentially are non-essential. It's a hard life when we focus on the non-essentials and allow them to divide us. So I wonder, what exactly is 'essential?'
It's the story of God. Creation by GOD the Father, the fall of humanity, redemption by GOD the Son, and reconciliation by GOD the Holy Spirit.
Creation, Fall, Redemption, Reconciliation.
How that all plays out in individual lives or collective cultures is as diverse as the anyone can imagine. And quite possibly non-essential for that matter.
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