1 Corinthians 1: 10-13; John 17: 6-21
“I ask not only on behalf of these,
but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,
that they may all be one.”
Our church was birthed through a vision of unity. The founders drank deeply at the well of the ecumenical movement which through prayer, energy, theological work and personal relationships sought to build bridges between churches with a history of division. An enduring memory from the 1970’s is as a new Pentecostal convert being told not to trust the Methodists (no mention of Presbyterians, or Congregationalists) because they were not ‘real’ Christians.
Three years ago we did a little group work in one service. Everyone divided according to their denominational memory. I was surprised by the many denominations. Uniting (of course), Methodist (naturally), Presbyterian (all the Scots hands up :-) Congregational (a few) then Anglican, Mennonite, Pentecostal, Baptist, Catholic (even) and Salvation Army – and a few nones!!
We are a diverse congregation – as is the UnitingChurch which is founded on a dream of organic unity and in our Basis of Union states “Seeks a wider unity in the power of the Holy Spirit… “ The dream was that possibly other denominations would unite as one in worship, witness and service.
However, and it’s a big however, the dream of institutionally uniting and coming to common agreement on a huge array of doctrines, practices, structures and buildings at this point of Australian history is quite, no, very unlikely.
Think of blended families. A couple marry with the promise ‘for better, for worse’ – but the marriage founders on the rocks of certain experiences. They divorce and the children ( even in friendly divorces) are deeply affected. People meet new partners who bring their own children, experiences and history. It can be a hard task being a blended family.
In a sense, that was the experience of church union. Three Protestant churches – two of whom were large and influential for a couple of centuries united, and then began the discovery of living together – with its opportunities, challenges and considerations. Three different histories, much diversity and a hope for the future.
Unity is an important word, a sacred cow in some quarters. Church history gives very clear evidence of incredible diversity. There is the golden age myth that the early church was one in heart and mind – but immediately that is scotched by Paul’s letter to the Corinthians where he quickly addressed the problem of quarrels and differences of opinion. Early on there was a propensity for gathering around charismatic leaders.
There are literally hundreds of Christian denominations around the world. There are the big ones – Roman Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and the Eastern Orthodox varieties, there are the middle-sized ones Pentecostal, Baptist, Churches of Christ, and there are the small ones often splinters from one of these, or house churches which may be in a loose confederation. Some are traditional, some progressive, some reactionary and self-absorbed. Some are busy living and others quietly dying.
Despite the dream of Christian unity it is entirely improbable that these denominations will come together under one banner – although we still sing one church, one faith, one Lord.
The experience of the Uniting Church – after the early excitement of union – has not only highlighted our diversity, but struggled with conflicts and division particularly over moral issues as Australian society ‘came out’ as secular rather than nominal Christian.
If we were to poll among ourselves on a range of church doctrines, ethical issues and commitments to justice and evangelism I am absolutely certain that KH would show a wide diversity from traditional and conventional to progressive and maybe a hint of the radical!
So, yes as we gather in the name of Jesus we are one, but we are also many – and this is a reflection of evolutionary life which always leans to increasing complexity in plant, animal and human life. Diversity is embedded in our universe, and yet it is a unity. Everything that gives life is dependent is some (often invisible) way upon other things, including what is invisible to our eyes.
Let’s pause at Jesus’ high priestly prayer. There is nothing remotely like this in the synoptic gospels, and indeed it sounds to me more theology than prayer – John’s picture of Jesus is significantly different and he appears to be entwining Jesus’ mission and that of his disciples. He is coming to the end of his life, and in a way this reads as his will and testament. They are called to continue sharing the message for the world, and one of the ways this occurs is through participating in unity – “that they may be one just as you and I are one.” (Good News Bible)
However, this dream, this hope, this prayer is not about church institutions but living in what the synoptics call the kingdom of God, and John, eternal life. There is a tension between the world and the church – not because the world is brutish, pagan or wrong (remember John 3: 16 God so loved the world …) but because the call to live in unity has to involve more than wallpapering over diversity. We need to grapple with the challenges of being a community who practices worshipping, witnessing and serving in diversity.
Searching for some web resources on Christian unity, up popped the idea ‘ a week of prayer for Christian Diversity.’ Curious I clicked on it and read Rev Bosco Peters apologia for this alternative week of prayer. He calls Christians to celebrate diversity, difference, honesty and not taking ourselves too seriously.
Here’s a snippet “agreeing to disagree is, in our heart of hearts we know, the only solution .. lovingly accepting disagreement with others.”
A lengthy problem for Christianity has been the doctrine of orthodoxy ( which literally means right worship, rather than correct beliefs). Orthodoxy is technically named in the document which was argued into place as Emperor Constantine establishes Christianity as THE religion of the Roman Empire. The Nicene Creed is the touchstone of orthodoxy ever since, but the proliferation of debates, discussions and concerns over its content has simmered away ever since. The UnitingChurch affirms the Nicene Creed, the Apostle’s Creed, John Wesley’s sermons and other Protestant confessions – but for most they are out of sight, out of mind.
When I was invited to become the pastor here one reason was that I had a long involvement in progressive Christianity (decidedly non-orthodox), but also had a record of being able to hold the tension with Christians who had other perspectives, takes on their faith. The cartoon in the order of service captures this experience nicely.
The question for our life together as Christians is how we choose to live, worship, witness and serve for the good of the world. The unity expressed through diversity is one that builds bridges, that listens with respect to another, that acknowledges that God is a unity in diversity which spills out through the universe, all created beings.
One of the reasons for the decline of the institutional churches (and there are many) is that too often people were squeezed through the eye of the orthodox needle. Orthodox beliefs, orthodox relationships, orthodox society – and when new realities arose the unorthodox were seen as unfaithful, nonconforming and, in the end, unwanted. In other words were not loved.
This church community is a tiny microcosm of the body of Christ. We are called to be one with all our diversity (and similarities) let us live that unity in diversity to the glory of God.
Rev David Carter
Sunday 17th May