Make us one
I don't know about you but I have never seen so much need, so much hurt and so much uncertainty in the world at one time. I am sure that there have been much worse times but I sense something is coming on the horizon. I am concerned about the strength of the church during times like these. We are so divided. A hundred different denominations and a thousand different ideas about the actual mission that Jesus gave us leaves us weakened as a church at best. Think of all the resources the church has...People, property, money, talent, passion...I could go on and on. Much of it is difused. If we could somehow come together we could completely change the world.
Maybe there are times just ahead that will force us to drop the differences and rally together and be what Jesus prayed for us to be.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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 so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23 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. John 17:20-23
I have often had discussions with other pastors about he possibilty of partnership between churches but inevitably issues of territory and ownership get in the way. Recently I heard Craig G. say that Satan wants churches to compete with each other but God wants churches to complete each other. The church I pastor does some things very well but there are other things we will probably never do well. I suspect the same is true of every church. What if we could just be one? Share everything with each other. What could be possible? How many could be reached? How many churches would move from one level of effectiveness to another?
I have often said that I would join our church with another church in a second if the real opportunity were to arise so we could reach & disciple more people. I mean that is the goal is it not?
Maybe there are times just ahead that will force us to drop the differences and rally together and be what Jesus prayed for us to be.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 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 so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one:
23 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. John 17:20-23
I have often had discussions with other pastors about he possibilty of partnership between churches but inevitably issues of territory and ownership get in the way. Recently I heard Craig G. say that Satan wants churches to compete with each other but God wants churches to complete each other. The church I pastor does some things very well but there are other things we will probably never do well. I suspect the same is true of every church. What if we could just be one? Share everything with each other. What could be possible? How many could be reached? How many churches would move from one level of effectiveness to another?
I have often said that I would join our church with another church in a second if the real opportunity were to arise so we could reach & disciple more people. I mean that is the goal is it not?
