Ecumenism - Any Hope For 21st Century Pluralistic Culture?

The goal of ecumenism (objective organic unity of Christian denominations) has been highly elusive for the church. During the last half of the twentieth century many Christian denominations have made great effort to develop closer relationships and understandings. Mergers were realized among groups such as the Methodists, Presbyterians and Lutherans. Still, ecumenism remained an un-ending series of high hurdles to cross over (as was the case with plenary sessions of the Consultation on Church Union 1960). I believe ecumenism as we envision it to be will continue to be elusive in America, especially since the idea of America has been built upon pluralism and the freedom of religion. It is Christ’s wish that we come together (Jn. 17:21), though the path is difficult (not impossible).

The Seven Power Keys For Planning Change | Dr. Myles Munroe

Dr. Myles Munroe - Kingdom Faith - Successful Living Beyond The Tests_clip2

Dr. Myles Munroe - Kingdom Faith - Successful Living Beyond The Tests_clip1

American Church History: Dealing With Multi-cultures

One of the most unique challenges faced by Christians during the colonial years was the internal struggles within the movement itself. Interestingly enough, these struggles were very closely tied to pro/anti American Revolution sentiments. In the North East or what we can call New England territories, there continued to be struggles related to ties to the Church of England. Why would anyone wish to identify with England and its church with the push for liberation? Why sever ties with the people who provided means for a new life? After all, wouldn’t that be the least these new territories could do for the motherland?  Not quite. Aside from economic and political motivations related to the revolution, the North Eastern region became a melting pot of diverse religions and worldviews, pre-dominantly pro-freedom of religious liberties. In Lancaster county, Thomas Barton described the presence of “German Lutherans, Calvinists, Mennonites, New Born, Dunkers, Presbyterians, Seceders, New Lights, Covenanters, Mountain Men, Brownists, Independents, Papists, Quakers, Jews.”[1] Imagine a community in which such diverse religious worldviews are competing for space, influence and converts. 

Struggles Of Blacks & The Church In Early America

Consider if you will the history of the Christian church in the early stages of the development of the New World, specifically the settlement of Virginia. It was the 1700’s. England colonized this portion of America, importing its religion of which the Church of England was preeminent.  The legal structure for the official Church of England was set up in 1660, with parishes being set up and one doctrinal standard established as set by the bishops of England. If you were not properly ordained and commissioned by the Church of England you could very well lose your livelihood. Here’s how the Virginian officials put it: “If any other person pretending himself a minister shall, contrary to this Act, presume to teach or preach publicly or privately, the Governor & Council are hereby desired and impowered (sic) to suspend & silence the person so offending.”[1] Talk about keeping it together!

Cultural Intelligence Applied To Mission

The Great Commission mandate provides a clear directive to believers: “Go,  Make Disciples, Baptize them, and Teach them *Mat. 28:19-20). This seems like a simple enough task until one recognizes the universal reach of the command: “of all nations”. This gospel is to be preached to all nations (Mat. 24:14).  This mission to the nations calls for the application of cultural intelligence as communicators of God’s message will need to have “a core understanding of cultures, language patterns and non-verbal behaviors,”[1] unless the preference is to limit their cultural exchanges to a certain demographics. Many of the nations to which the gospel will be preached comprise people “whose tastes, behaviors, and assumptions are not only different but often in conflict with one another.”[2] That said, the message of the gospel may be foreign to many within these foreign nations. This means a clear grasp of intercultural communication that is catered to the audience. We are talking about creating an indigenous experience that is totally biblical, especially since the gospel is a universal message with universal appeal. The same approach can be used for local missions work.

God Be Praised by the Potters House Mass Choir

The Operation of Spiritual Gifts Within God's Church

The Equipping & Building Of The Church (Ephesians 4:12-16)

Unfortunately, in many churches, only the office of the pastor seemingly is in operation. Christ’s intent was that all of his saints who have been graced with a measure of his gift would operate in their gifting (or that which they have been graced with) “in order that everything in the church might be well arranged, or put into its proper place, that Christians may have every possible advantage for becoming complete in love, and knowledge and order.”[1]  The main idea here is that the church becomes mature when Christ’s gifts are functioning within the community of believers. Jesus proclaimed he would build his church (Matthew 16:18), and he saw fit to govern such and organism through these various offices.

“What Did Jesus Say About Homosexuality?”

The debate surrounding marriage is as old as Moses (Deut. 24). Homosexuality as well has had  historic implications since Old Testament times (Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22, 20:13). Michael Brown contributes to the debate with a biblical response to the homosexual agenda in light of the institution of marriage (Gen. 3:18-24; Mat. 19:8; Deut. 24) and the argument of silence that supposedly supports tolerance of homosexual relationships in light of Matthew 19:11-12. If this were the times of the apostle Paul, he would say that any claim that the Bible favors homosexuality is not only false doctrine, but the discipline of homosexual theology is biblically incompatible.