Unity or uniformity

Holy Week is upon us again. Every year the Perry Ministerial Association plans Holy Week Services, and I would like to invite you all to join us this year. 

There can be no doubt that we live in a fractured world. People argue about everything. Often we get so very tired of arguing that we tend to give up and retreat into our controlled environments. Unity never happens in a bubble, it is the fruit of a thoughtful life, lived in community with others in Christ.

In the High Priestly prayer of John 17, Jesus specifically prays for all the believers everywhere.  He says, “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:20-21 NIV).  In his last week of life, Jesus prayed that the church would be unified in belief – a powerful desire from our Lord that deserves our full attention.

There is a difference between unity and uniformity. We are not all called to be the same, but we are called to be unified. Earnest people disagree on fine points of theology, yet they can and should be unified. It is quite boring when you are only around people who echo your own view back to you. The church becomes dull when we stop being challenged.

It is convenient to say you believe in unity. You could even enter that hashtag on social media or make a special meme for people to share, but the reality is the unity requires action. It happens in the decisions we make. Lying and gossiping destroy unity. We should seek to understand and listen, even when we disagree. 

Unity is not a passive activity; it requires effort and sacrifice. This is our challenge though: How do express the unity Jesus prayed for?  As we are faithful to Christ, we will grow towards Him and towards each other. If you are struggling for unity with someone in your life, I encourage you to pray with them, worship with them, and share with them. You will find it very difficult to divide with someone you pray for and with.

Next week we will have services Monday through Thursday. I have been in this community for 15 years and I love these services. I get experience various preferences in worship, and I see my fellow ministers beautifully engage in their gifting. The pastors in this community are amazing. This year the following churches will be hosting:

Monday 3/30: Crossroads Methodist Church (Pastor Lewis Kiger Preaching)

Tuesday 3/31: Sojourn Church (Pastor Don Caulley Preaching)

Wednesday 4/1: New Hope Baptist Church (Pastor Thomas West Preaching)

Thursday 4/2: Perry Methodist Church (Pastor Michael Stovall Preaching)

These services start at 12:00 and usually last about 30 minutes.  The churches serve a light lunch afterwards. You will have a chance to fellowship with, worship with, and pray with others in our community.

One last thought, in that prayer, Jesus said that the unity of His followers would be a testimony to the world. The church longs to bring the hope of Christ to the world and it starts with unity in the community. Come join us next week.