The
quote is often attributed to Mark Twain: “Everybody talks about the weather,
but nobody does anything about it.” The same seems destined to be true about unity as well.
My
frustrations over disunity are regularly
compounded whenever I contact fellow-pastors with opportunities for cooperative
ministry in our area. Their response? “You know, that’s not something we’d be
able to participate in.” “We can’t do it this time, but keep us on the list for
anything else that comes up.” “Sorry, but if you aren’t sure that the (insert
denomination or congregation here) church won’t be invited, we can’t commit to
supporting that.” “Nope, that doesn’t work for us. But be sure to let us know
if something else comes up—because we really
believe in unity among the churches.”
Let
me ask, whether you serve in Christian ministry, community development, or some
other role in enhancing the lives of others: Is there a oneness between you and
those you serve? Between you and others serving the same persons? I believe
that you believe in unity…of some
sort. But let me ask you to consider with me: which unity do we believe in?
In
my June 20 post, I explored these questions as Jesus addressed them during The
Last Supper (John 17). He prayed
for us to “be one, even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You.” Did Jesus
intend us to engage in cooperative collaboration, literally showing love for
one another as we, together, showed love in our service to others? Or was He
merely stating an underlying metaphysical reality? Did Jesus imagine a unity
that could survive our mutual avoidance and independence? Is His a oneness that
exists despite our refusal to celebrate and serve in one another’s presence?
It
is nearly impossible to support some vague, insubstantial “unity” as being
Jesus’ intention in John 17.
It
becomes entirely impossible when the
theme is addressed elsewhere. Especially dear to me, since it is the
life-guiding passage on which my wife and I chose to base our marriage, is Philippians 2:1-2.
It reads, “Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any
consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection
and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the
same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.” In the Greek language of
that day, the word we translate “if” does not suggest uncertainty. As Jesus’ disciples and the Apostle Paul’s audience
would have heard it: “If there is any encouragement in Christ, and there is, if there is any consolation of love,
and there is…,” then our unity is
vitally necessary.
The
grammatical term for the kind of sentence Paul uses is “Imperative.” That
means, according to Webster & Co., that Paul is expressing “the will to
influence the behavior of another.” In short, “Do something about this!” But
even if we accept an intentional, and intensely personal practice instead of a
merely metaphysical (some would say “non-existent”) unity, many questions
remain. With whom do we pursue unity? How much diversity can we accommodate
within that unity? Can we have unity not only with those embracing diversity,
but whose particular diversities put them at odds with one another?
These
are the questions that I want to explore over the next several weeks. The posts
will be interspersed among other topics I address here. But the title will
always begin with “Unity in and among Diversity,” so you’ll be able to find
them. I’d welcome your questions or comments, and especially your perspectives
and experiences related to applying your belief in unity to actual, real-life
situations.
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