| Can the body have schism? Is it possible to be healthy and separated? I meet often with a group of youth workers. It’s basically a time of prayer and encouragement for the journey of youth ministry. It’s a great time and we’ve developed into a group of friends. What I think is unique about us is the fact that NONE of us share a denomination. We’re an eclectic sort of youth ministers. Dave is from the Church of God. Steve is a non-denominational. Joanne is an Episcopal, Barry works with Young Life; Brett’s church is Missionary Alliance, while I minister at a Southern Baptist church. I’ve often thought that we sound like the beginning of a classic joke, “Have you heard about the time that the Episcopal, the non-denominational, the Baptist, the charismatic, and the Missionary Alliance guy walked into the bar…” (However we’re currently meeting in a youth room). I shared this with a friend who with squinted eyes and a cocked head, raised his eyebrows and asked if we constantly debate. I was surprised. Not at the fact he asked the question but the fact that I was speechless. After a pause (a seemingly long one) I responded, “Uh….no, never.” I hadn’t even thought of it, but out of all the times that we’ve met I could not remember one moment where any of us got into a heated debate over any theological issue. Oh, we’re not superficial by any means; we actually talk about theology quite a bit, however we never angrily debate each other – never even think of it. Shortly before Jesus went to the cross to bear unbelievable anguish he prayed. What did he pray? “Now I am departing the world; I am leaving them behind and coming to you. Holy Father, keep them and care for them – all those you have given me – so that they will be united just as we are.” (NLT) He also prayed that his disciples will be one so the world will know that Jesus is the real thing. Wow! Jesus believed that if his followers are truly united in one that the world would believe in him. So, how have we (the followers of Christ) done with this? Hmmm…what does the world think of Christianity? An individualistic people group consumed with consumerism, who care about their own selfish livelihood but could care less for the greater good of humanity. A ‘do what I say’ not ‘do what I do’ people. Or does the world perceive Christianity as a group of people who truly know what it is to love. A group who believes unity is better than separation - a group which is known for simply following the teachings of Christ. Can we journey alone? Are we crippling ourselves when we allow for heated debate which leads to separation? Are we wasting our time figuring out who’s right and who's wrong?
 Joel Kurz is serves as a youth pastor in Greensboro, MD and frequently discusses the cultural shifts in church ministry with other church leaders. He lives in Greensboro with his wife and baby girl. |
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