David Bosch & Churches of Christ #3: Ecumenism
Continuing my analysis of Churches of Christ, I am looking at our compatibility with David Bosch's 6 components of a Western missiology. Like most North American denominations, Churches of Christ are experiencing decline and fragmentation. We seem to be losing our own members while not appealing to new prospects. This is a problem shared by most churches across the board.
In the face of decline, we have two major temptations. The first is to withdraw into private spheres of spirituality where we "blow off" church and just focus on "being a good person" and on "being happy like God wants me to be." I can't say enough about how ungodly and self-centered this direction is. The second temptation is to try to reestablish Christianity as the way of life for our country. It is just as bad as the first because it will isolate us even further from the world that God wants us to reach. This temptation over-glorifies the past and projects a triumphalistic spirit that thinks we had "it" right & just need to reclaim "it." I would argue that "it" never existed.
This brings us to Bosch's third facet of an effective Western missiology.
3. Ecumenism. Ecumenism implies a willingness to cooperate and support Christian works across denominational lines. One might refer to this as "anti-sectarianism." The denominational divisions of the Christian world stem from a belief that individual reasoning is more important than unity. If my powers of deduction lead me to different conclusions from you, the trend has been to separate myself from you because I conclude that you are either flawed or dishonest. Instead of learning to tolerate discussion and dissension within the family, we have resorted to division, debate and ridicule across family lines. Bosch believes that a commitment to unity will be crucial in the West if we are going to reach our culture for Jesus.
How ecumenical are Churches of Christ? Believe it or not, progressive churches have increasingly seen themselves as but one part of a vast Christian landscape. The church where I work here in Fresno has been increasingly leaning toward an open stance.
Many people in our congregation no longer see sectarian divides between faith traditions, even though a few still think in sectarian terms. We seem to be an evangelical church that wears the name “Church of Christ.” Some are involved in ecumenical organizations, ministries and activities where they partner with Christians from People’s Church, Northwest Church, Northside Christian Church, The Well, The Bridge, and so on. This “cross-breeding” has leveled the playing field in the minds of many people who no longer see our heritage as segregated from the rest of the Christian world. They may even view our sectarian past as a mark against us. Our church leaders have publicly endorsed this theological stance of openness toward other faith traditions, and many in the congregation seem to agree with this.
A major knock against our fellowship has been its sectarianism. Progressive Churches of Christ, however, have rejected the sectarianism of the past. Many are embracing an ecumenical stance, sometimes with very little discernment but often with great enthusiasm.
In the face of decline, we have two major temptations. The first is to withdraw into private spheres of spirituality where we "blow off" church and just focus on "being a good person" and on "being happy like God wants me to be." I can't say enough about how ungodly and self-centered this direction is. The second temptation is to try to reestablish Christianity as the way of life for our country. It is just as bad as the first because it will isolate us even further from the world that God wants us to reach. This temptation over-glorifies the past and projects a triumphalistic spirit that thinks we had "it" right & just need to reclaim "it." I would argue that "it" never existed.
This brings us to Bosch's third facet of an effective Western missiology.
3. Ecumenism. Ecumenism implies a willingness to cooperate and support Christian works across denominational lines. One might refer to this as "anti-sectarianism." The denominational divisions of the Christian world stem from a belief that individual reasoning is more important than unity. If my powers of deduction lead me to different conclusions from you, the trend has been to separate myself from you because I conclude that you are either flawed or dishonest. Instead of learning to tolerate discussion and dissension within the family, we have resorted to division, debate and ridicule across family lines. Bosch believes that a commitment to unity will be crucial in the West if we are going to reach our culture for Jesus.
How ecumenical are Churches of Christ? Believe it or not, progressive churches have increasingly seen themselves as but one part of a vast Christian landscape. The church where I work here in Fresno has been increasingly leaning toward an open stance.
Many people in our congregation no longer see sectarian divides between faith traditions, even though a few still think in sectarian terms. We seem to be an evangelical church that wears the name “Church of Christ.” Some are involved in ecumenical organizations, ministries and activities where they partner with Christians from People’s Church, Northwest Church, Northside Christian Church, The Well, The Bridge, and so on. This “cross-breeding” has leveled the playing field in the minds of many people who no longer see our heritage as segregated from the rest of the Christian world. They may even view our sectarian past as a mark against us. Our church leaders have publicly endorsed this theological stance of openness toward other faith traditions, and many in the congregation seem to agree with this.
A major knock against our fellowship has been its sectarianism. Progressive Churches of Christ, however, have rejected the sectarianism of the past. Many are embracing an ecumenical stance, sometimes with very little discernment but often with great enthusiasm.
This new openness is a major plus for us if we hope to reach an increasingly non-Christian U.S. Jesus prayed for our unity in John 17:20ff. In his prayer, he said the world would know him if his followers could be one.
Learning to disagree but still have unity is a major step forward. We still need the courage to disagree at times, but we have to learn that disagreement does not mean division. There is a
MAJOR difference between unity and uniformity. Christians will never all think, act, look or believe alike (uniformity). But through the Spirit we can all be one (unity).
MAJOR difference between unity and uniformity. Christians will never all think, act, look or believe alike (uniformity). But through the Spirit we can all be one (unity).Our witness to the world is greatly hindered if we preach a divided church. I've experienced this first hand, both in Europe and on the college campus. Discerning minds see straight through us and blow us off if we speak the language of sectarianism.
I like the philosophy of Billy Graham who never spoke a public word of criticism of another Christian. Say what you will about his methods or his messages. But his ministry was backed up by a passion for evangelism and unity that reached countless people for Christ. Ecumenism will be one key mark of mission in the Western world.
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