True Christian unity means sharing services, activities of other denominations

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher

Religion Columnist

Last week I talked to an old friend. He's Alfred Sawyer, an Episcopal priest. He took a few years off from the priesthood to serve as press secretary to the governor of Alabama. Now, he's back and has started a new Episcopal church in Buckhead.

His church is not within the official structure. He grew tired of the liberalism (his word) within the traditional life of the church, i.e., stands on homosexuality. Our conversation took place just as the Southern Baptist Convention concluded its meetings in Atlanta. Alfred talked admiringly of the Baptists. He admired the Baptist stand on homosexuality and its strong stand for conservative Biblical values. Sometimes we don't appreciate what's right under our nose. For a second, I thought an Episcopal was making application to become a Baptist.

The truth is that most of our denominations have something the rest of us could use and appropriate. I'll never forget Justin Kollmeyer, pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, as he led in a litany of confession for area ministers. Some of the Pentecostal brothers were completely refreshed by the litany and asked for copies.

Pastor Roger Powell of Fayetteville Church of God used the Lutheran litany at his church and said his people were totally blessed. Imagine that!

The very first time I saw the Kiss of Peace was in a Catholic Church during college days. Now, we Baptists do the same but call it a Time of Fellowship during which we greet one another with a healthy handshake, holy hug, or a kindly kiss. Imagine that, Baptists learning from Catholics.

Pastor John Avant of New Hope Baptist Church told of a recent visit to an Assembly of God church in Brooklyn. He took instruction and encouragement from their weekly prayer meeting. Imagine that, a Baptist learning from Pentecostals.

Each of us has something to offer all of us. But we can't learn if we don't leave the comfort zone of our own four walls. We must venture into the services and activities of other denominations. That is the beginnings of unity. Unity is not about becoming one big church in which everyone does the same thing and behave in the same way. Unity is about accepting our differences without excommunication and appreciating each one's distinctives - perhaps appropriating some for use.

I pray we are on the pathway to genuine unity in the south metro area. Pastor, if you and your church are not on board, let me encourage you to break out of your four walls (of your church and denomination) and embrace the rest of us. We need all churches involved.

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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