Scripture is the obvious answer to all questions, especially one as important as this: how can we continue to be unified when so many variables of doctrine seem to separate us? The brethren of IMF agree on the essentials of the faith: the divinity of Jesus, the virgin birth, the bodily resurrection, the return of the Lord. But the variables can make a great difference when deciding fellowship issues. Simple issues such as communion cups, versus a common cup, have done in the Restoration Movement’s search for unity. The use of an instrument in worship services is a huge matter to some denominations, and others may doubt the salvation of all who use them. Ditto the Old Order Amish, who not only do not use an instrument, but refuse to sing any song not written in the Ausbund, an early nineteenth century publication. Their Ordnung spells out a life of severity which was necessary in the 1800’s, but has today become a religious essential for their followers. Noncompliance to any issue found in the Ordnung by any baptized member calls for immediate and permanent “shunning.”

Could we ever become as marginalized as these groups have become? Absolutely we could. And we must fight the desire always to be right when the issue is not one of scriptural imperative. The essentials are just those things that must be believed in order to be saved. They do not include musical preferences, worship styles, the form of baptism, or the style of church organization (a strong pastor versus a strong board of deacons … a pastoral system versus the group of twelve concept). None of these mere choices must be allowed to become essential in our churches! Freedom in Christ is a beautiful concept; just ask the woman pastor in the church down your street.

So, how are we to maintain the Faith and still be flexible in a changing world? The Scripture must be our guide. II Corinthians 13:11 puts it like this: “Try to get along and live peacefully with each other. Now I pray that God, who gives love and peace, will be with you.” (Contemporary English Version) Purity of motives is going to be called into account by the Lord when we deal with our families, our colleagues in ministry, and members of our congregations. We must maintain a right relationship with all of them, and we do it by giving them the love and peace which God gives to us. Real peace must be given … leave people alone to serve God in their manner. Let the leaders called by God lead as they see the light from God. “Everyone should be humble toward everyone else.” (I Peter 5:5 CEV)

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Leadership requires accountability, of course, and each of us should have colleagues in our lives who will ask the hard questions about love and marriage, habits, our children, our relationships. We may even have a person who can be free to speak of our leadership style, pointing out errors of judgment. But that person is one in a million and should be cherished. That person will have a servant’s heart, humble with his towel and basin ever at the ready. A brother who loves us enough to sacrifice for us and with us, who has gone through the fire with us … that brother can be critical and I will listen. I know his heart and he knows mine. The leader who has such a colleague is blessed indeed, and that leader is likely to be the servant of another in a similar manner.

Unity requires right relationships, genuine accountability, and scriptural knowledge. But it takes an obvious closeness with God, obvious to anyone who knows us, more than any other thing. The desire to minister to others in Jesus’ name can only be acted upon by a person who is deeply committed to the embrace of God. How else can we live a life above reproach? How else can we set an example for the believers by what we say and do? How else can our love, faith and purity be a sufficient guide to, “tell everyone to do what you say?” (I Timothy 4:11, 12 CEV)

God’s embrace implies an intimacy with Him found only by hours spent alone with Him. Hours which have caused us to know the truth of the Word and the ways the Word relates to everyday life. Such intimacy has been the making of many great men, including no doubt each of you sitting around this table. Perhaps the greatest passage of Holy Scripture for today’s subject of unity is I Corinthians 13:4-8 “Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful and trusting. Love never fails!” (CEV)
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