Wholeness and Unity

The Disciples, the denomination of which I'm a member, is known for its commitment to Christian unity. Now, many Christians are interested in Christian unity. Indeed, in this supposedly "post-denominational" world people don't pay a lot of attention to denominational boundaries. Today I'm Methodist, tomorrow I'm Vineyard, and if I move to another community, maybe I'll be something else.

As posted earlier, in the age of Church 3.0 -- the age of the automobile -- mobility made it possible for people to become more consumer conscious church shoppers. Indeed, in an age of the generic, we may try brand names first, but if the brand doesn't do it for us, we'll go generic (non-denominational). In Church 4.0 -- the cyber age -- the boundaries are even more porous.

So, in this post-denominational age, what's the big deal about Christian unity? Why bother with it?

Now, there is more than one kind of unity. There is visible unity and invisible unity. To say that we're all sort of alike and can walk across those porous lines without much concern is an expression of invisible unity. This kind of unity doesn't require a lot of effort.

But, when the Disciples movement was born the concern was with "visible unity." Visible unity expressed itself in church councils and other kinds of institutional forms. This kind of unity has become suspect and even sort of passe. Who needs it?

But, I wonder if the invisible unity is enough? When Thomas Campbell stated that "the church of Christ upon earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one," what did he have in mind?

The Disciples have adopted a new mission identity statement:

We are Disciples of Christ,
a movement for wholeness
in a fragmented world.
As part of the one body of Christ,
we welcome all to the Lord's Table
as God has welcomed us.

Michael Kinnamon noted, in his Peter Ainslie lecture, that in many ways the commitment to wholeness may be a better way of expressing unity in this era. Perhaps it speaks to the same concerns that our commitment to unity did two centuries back. If so, what does pursuit of wholeness require of us?

Comments

John said…
The real question is: What was the nature of unity described in the New Testament?

Was the Church universal as described in Acts "unified" within the New Testament understanding? If so we need to parse out what were the constituent elements of that unity and work towards a re-constitution of that unity in our contemoporary Church universal.

Alternatively, was the church failing at unity even then? What would such a conclusion say to the church of our generation? That unity is an admirable goal which may never be achieved in this world?

John
Anonymous said…
Would this be better? It could exclude pets and hungry atheists...

We are Disciples of Christ,
a movement for wholeness
in a fragmented world.
As part of the one body of Christ,
we welcome (those of) all (movements) to the Lord's Table
as God has welcomed us.

Welcome back- David Mc
Anonymous said…
I am sensitive to "all are welcome" to the Lord's table. Christ gave that ceremony to Christ followers and scripture is pretty clear you risk judgement without examining yourself. Its also hypocritical to say.. here, eat the body and blood of Jesus, if you don't believe in Jesus.

I think also a HUGE part of the reason for the blurry lines is our consumerism. The question is often what do I "get" out of church vs what I can give to the church. We don't like style, people, preaching.. we simply switch.

Chuck

8A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself.
Robert Cornwall said…
Chuck,

My sense is that our theologies of the Supper are different. But here are a couple of responses.

First, as to the text, it's important to read it in context. Paul's call to discerning the body in 1 Cor. is not focused on discerning the body of Christ in the bread, but the presence of Christ in the gathered body. In context, it appears that we have a great big potluck, the wealthy are having a great time, even getting drunk, while others, the poor, are left without -- sitting on the sidelines. The judgment has to do with love of neighbor, not doctrinal purity.

As to who shares the supper. I take Jesus' own table fellowship patterns as my guide. He had an open table. So, I believe our table should be open -- for Jesus, not the church, is the host.
John said…
Hi Chuck,

I have a very radical take on take fellowship. I think the table should be wide open - if we really think this is the body and blood of our Savior (which I do) then by ingesting this sacred substance, we allow Jesus to work directly at converting our souls. If I believe that is true for me, why would it not be even more true for one who is even farther from God?

I know that Paul speaks of discerning the body and of calling judgment on oneself - I don't have a clever argument around is admonition - I just don't see it that way. I believe that God sanctifies all, and that such sanctification is even more likely the closer we get to God - and eating his body according to John 6, we make the most intimate connection we can have.

John
Anonymous said…
http://www.thenation.com/doc/20090817/scahill

Maybe not all movements?

A former Blackwater employee and an ex-US Marine who has worked as a security operative for the company have made a series of explosive allegations in sworn statements filed on August 3 in federal court in Virginia. The two men claim that the company's owner, Erik Prince, may have murdered or facilitated the murder of individuals who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. The former employee also alleges that Prince "views himself as a Christian crusader tasked with eliminating Muslims and the Islamic faith from the globe," and that Prince's companies "encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life."

...A hearing before Judge Ellis in the civil cases against Blackwater is scheduled for August 7.

I guess they didn't get their gag order. David Mc

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