"Why Can’t We All Be Together?"

We have just finished another Holy Day season. For many it was the first time in several years to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with brethren who share the convictions we have long held regarding the Holy Days and the plan of God they portray. But it was also a bittersweet experience. Instead of the vast throngs of thousands of members, attendance numbered in the hundreds at most sites. Sadly, some are still attending what they think of as Holy Days in an organization that considers the Holy Days an archaic "old covenant" practice. Those who still believe the teachings we proved so many years ago have fled that organization to seek refuge and fellowship with others of like beliefs. Unfortunately, there are several Sabbath-keeping groups with similar beliefs. In many cases, the differences are so few and so slight that many members don’t even know what they are. So several of us have wondered, "Why can’t we all be together?" Readers of In Transition have written in, posing this question. It is a good question. A question that needs to be answered.

We must first ask, should we be together? If so, can we and will we? Even more fundamentally, exactly who do you/we mean by "we?" In other words, who and where are God’s people? There was a time when most of us believed God’s people were all in the same organization. When members left the organization, they "fell away" and ceased being God’s people. We were encouraged to "pray that God will grant them repentance." But eventually, they became victims of the old proverb, "out of sight, out of mind."

Another adage asserts, "What goes around, comes around." After the wholesale doctrinal departure we have witnessed in recent years, many of us find ourselves on the outside of the organization we once so staunchly upheld as "the only true Church." We have had to learn what both Mr. Armstrong and Mr. Tkach had taught. The Church is the people, not the organization. Specifically, people whom God has called to repentance and conversion, who have been baptized and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39; John 6:44, 65). Ideally, the organization and the true people of God should be one and the same. Perhaps earlier in our recent Church history, this was true. But we must now face the sober reality that God’s people, like sheep have been scattered and have regathered into different flocks. Have we recreated the tragic situation that plagued the Corinthian Church (I Cor. 1:11-12)? "Is Christ divided?" Paul’s rhetorical question in verse 13 should haunt the conscience of God’s people today. God clearly wants His people "joined together" (I Cor. 1:10). Jesus fervently prayed for the unity of God’s people of all generations (John 17:11, 20-23). What can we do to help build bridges between members and the church organizations to which they belong?

Before we can build bridges, we must first remove the barriers. Let’s consider what is keeping us apart and how to work for unity.

Historical Factors

Thousands have left the parent organization over the past several years for any number of reasons. Every case is unique. But common to all is the crushing identity crisis, emotional pain and sense of loss that accompanies any such disassociation. All this is compounded by the sense of being misunderstood and mistreated by many we have loved and whom we thought loved us. Hurt can lead to despair. It can fuel anger and resentment, which are spiritual poisons that cause even more hurt. Only love, acceptance and forgiveness can heal the pain.

Leaders of existing Sabbath and Holy Day keeping Church organizations are miffed by new organizations forming. "Why did they have to start a new Church?" they wonder. "Why didn’t they just come with us?" One answer I offer is, when the house is on fire, you are concerned with getting people out to safety. Where to put them can be decided later. Many of us left under great duress after crises of conscience had exacted a heavy toll. We were simply not ready to jump right back into another organization. What we have experienced is much like a divorce. One does not normally seek a new relationship immediately after a painful marriage breakup. Some never marry again. Sadly, there are apparently more members sitting home by themselves than the total number of all the breakaway groups. How many of those would seek the safe haven of fellowship of one group if "we could all be together"? When members have to decide between groups much as voters have to decide between mudslinging political candidates with all their "issues," what kind of incentive does that offer to hurting, estranged brethren? It is time to leave the past behind and face the realities of the present and the challenges of the future. For some this will require apologizing for what we have said or done to hurt others. Ministers and members alike need to pursue this reconciliation as a matter of prime importance (Matt. 5:21-34, 18:6-35). It is time to heal the hurt and leave the past behind. We must then find ways to work together and build bridges of understanding that can lead to meaningful unity. Spiritual unity must transcend the barriers of corporate organization. God’s people need to be together.

Personality Issues

"I could never be in an organization headed by . . ." Have you heard that said? Have you said that? What does this suggest? Is the person in question not one of God’s people? No, it’s just that some think they could not coexist with someone whose approach is different than theirs. Murphy’s Law states, "Everyone is somebody’s weirdo." Virtually all of us have someone who thinks they cannot get along with us. Is this grounds for separate church organizations? Again, "Is Christ divided?" Many of us have a lot to learn about what the Bible calls "forbearing one another in love" (Eph. 4:2; Col. 3:13). We should consider all that God has forgiven us, and what He puts up with in us before we write off a brother or sister in Christ. Read the parable of the unforgiving servant if you need to refocus your perspective (Matt. 18:21-35).

Should personal problems or personality issues be grounds for rejecting that person’s work of preaching the gospel? Paul didn’t think so (Phil. 1:15-18). "Paul’s conclusion . . . reveals his sense of values. The importance of the gospel and its proclamation so outweighed any personal considerations that he would not cloud the issue by insisting on settling personal grievances" (Expositor’s Bible Commentary). Paul was able to rise above personality issues and concentrate on doing the work of God. So must we.

Doctrinal Differences

Now we come to what many think is the main barrier to being "together." It really isn’t, but it serves as a noble cause to mask the other three barriers, which are not so noble. There are, of course, legitimate doctrinal differences between Church organizations. But so are there between members of the same Church. But are they fundamental enough to justify separation?

II Cor. 6:14-18 commands us not to be "yoked together" with unbelievers. Paul asks, "What fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness?" The Greek word for "fellowship" means sharing what one has in common with others. Major doctrinal differences render fellowship impossible and inappropriate. II John 10 tells us we must reject those who promote a different doctrine. Or as Paul concludes in II Cor. 6:17, "Come out and be separate."

The Expositors Bible Commentary explains, "The issue involved more than disagreements in interpretation or personal misunderstanding among members of the body of Christ. It was radical and clearly defined unbelief, and it involved active and aggressive promotion of perversions of truth and practice that struck at the heart of Christianity" (vol. 12, pages 365-366).

An organization that teaches that golfing on the Sabbath based on a claim that the Sabbath need not be kept by "new covenant Christians" represents a major doctrinal belief that is grounds for separation, a la II Cor. 6:14-18 and II John 10.

However, what if a Sabbath-believing Christian considers golfing on the Sabbath an appropriate way within the spirit of the law to unwind from the rigors of the week in an outdoor setting in God’s creation? Is this grounds for separation from a Sabbath keeper who considers golfing on the Sabbath a sin? The answer is found in Romans 14. Here we find two brethren whose applications of biblical principles were poles apart. If the issue was meat sacrificed to idols, the vegetarian was "playing it safe" by eating no meat at all, lest he inadvertently eat meat that had come from a pagan ceremony. In his eyes, anyone who did otherwise could be guilty of breaking the second commandment. Yet God "has received" both, so Paul tells both not to judge each other. It is a case of variation of application, not difference of doctrinal belief.

Verse one tells us to "receive" someone despite differences of application of Bible principles, and to avoid "passing judgment on disputable matters" (NIV). The basic lesson of the entire chapter is "live and let live." We must focus on our common doctrinal heritage, not on areas of disagreement on how to apply what we believe. We dare not "destroy the work of God" for what we consider to be "good" (verses 16-20). Are we hindering the work of God by allowing relatively minor doctrinal variations divide us? Could we not do a more powerful, effective, work by combining efforts instead of each Church having its own telecast and publications?

Ephesians 4 clearly distinguishes spiritual unity from doctrinal unity. Spiritual unity exists via the common bond of the Holy Spirit and must be preserved (Eph. 4:1-6). Doctrinal unity is an elusive ideal that must be pursued (Eph. 4:13-15). Spiritual unity based on love must be what we all work for. God is not trying to build a doctrinal master race. "We know in part . . . " We

must not argue over pieces of the puzzle. Let’s get our eyes on the absolutes — what Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong called "the trunk of the tree." Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and the Savior of the body. The Holy Spirit is the source of our unity. Let’s look to Christ to help us build bridges of understanding. Let’s reach out to each other in love, "endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph. 4:3).

Misinformation

Now we come to the main barrier to unity. Like ships passing in the night, we are charting separate courses in a fog of misperceptions. Misunderstandings must give way to true understanding. In the meantime we are misrepresenting and being misrepresented because of false impressions. Why does this happen, and what can we do to be properly informed?

Gossip and Rumors

Much hurt has been caused by false information passed along the "grapevine." Gossip and rumors are often fueled by hostility and resentment (Prov. 26:19-28). Prov. 10:18 plainly states, "Whoever hides hatred has lying lips. And whoever spreads slander is a fool." Pretty strong words!

How much of what you "know" about other Church organizations have you pieced together from gossip, rumors, and hearsay? The rumor mill is raging out of control. It is a good time to apply the sage advice, "Don’t believe anything you hear and only half of what you see."

Instead of passing along what you hear, why not try to track down the truth whenever possible? What you pass along as "only a rumor" will eventually be presented as fact, and likely distorted further as well. We simply must stop this insidious practice. As Prov. 26:20 says, "Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases." "Let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another" (Rom. 14:19). That certainly does not include gossip and rumors. See also Eph. 4:25-32.

Gunpowder Words

Words are powerful instruments for good or for evil. Some words carry a heavy charge of explosives. Like land mines, they threaten to blow away anyone who dares walk the trail to reconciliation. It is true in marital problems. It is true in the differences that divide us as Christians. Some examples? How about "hierarchy," "local autonomy," "voting" for openers? These and other "gunpowder words" must be defused. How? Like porcupines mate — very carefully! Sensitivities must be respected. Some words conjure up dark images of the past that we do not want to relive.

Emotions

"Gunpowder words" are fueled by emotion. Emotion can cloud, even destroy, reason and objectivity. Some "doctrinal issues" are exacerbated far out of balance by the "emotional baggage." Remember the makeup issue of years past? How could anyone forget! Makeup was blown way out of proportion, because it was associated with the "liberal movement" to "water down the truth." So the makeup issue became a symbol of the entire ideological struggle. Today, the nature of God, "born again," and governance are doctrinal issues with heavy emotional investment.

Emotions must be cleared before issues can be profitably discussed. God’s help is often required. Then and only then can we rationally and intelligently make meaningful headway in doctrinal discussions. Like dynamite, emotions are a gift of God which must be properly used. One must engage the brain before setting the charge.

Human Nature

The common denominator of all our problems of strife is what we often call "human nature." Paul is more blunt. He blatantly labels division and strife as just plain "carnal" (I Cor. 3:1-4). Like it or not, we have a very similar situation with God’s people today.

We face challenges we have never encountered before. God is allowing this trial to give us the opportunity to grow and mature spiritually. It is time for spiritual maturity to prevail.

Satan

Of course, as always, Satan is the real culprit. He is the source of all division. He is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). He is the "accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:9). He is seeking to divide God’s people even as he plots to unite his own forces. We must not be ignorant of Satan’s devices (II Cor. 2:11). We need to remember that Satan, not human beings, is our real enemy (Eph. 6:12).

We are "all in this thing together." We need to do all we can to destroy the barriers and build bridges so we can "all be together."

Can we all be together? This is a question we all must answer. I believe we can. I believe we must! We all need each other too much to think otherwise, especially in the times ahead.

One person remarked that it would be nice to be together, but we cannot let that interfere with the work God has called us to do. I say that not being together is a major deterrent to the work. As Francis Schaeffer put it in an article entitled, "The Mark of the Christian, "What divides and severs true Christian groups and Christians . . . is not the issue of doctrine or belief that caused the differences in the first place. Invariably it is a lack of love — and the bitter things that are said by true Christians in the midst of differences. . . . These . . . unloving attitudes and words . . . cause the stench that the world can smell in the church of Jesus Christ among those who are really true Christians . . . . The world looks, shrugs its shoulders, and turns away. It has not seen even the beginning of a living church in the midst of a dying culture. It has not seen the beginning of what Jesus Christ indicates is the final apologetic — observable oneness among true Christians who are truly brothers and sisters in Christ. Our sharp tongues, the lack of love between us — not the necessary statements of differences that may exist between true Christians — these are what properly trouble the world.

How different this is from the straightforward and direct command of Jesus Christ — to show an observable oneness that may be seen by a watching world" (Christianity Today, March 6, 1995).

Jesus simply said, "By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). Schaeffer rightly concludes, "If we do not show love to one another, the world has a right to question whether Christianity is true." The main "work" we have before us now is to patch up our differences and help God’s people "all be together." Then and only then can we present a powerful, credible, of which message the world will sit up and take notice. More importantly, it will provide a clarion call to our battered brethren who are sitting it out at home, that we are indeed God’s people.

So many brethren have broken off and formed groups, only to disintegrate and virtually disappear over the years. This is the frightening alternative which none of us wants. Indeed it may be said of us, "United we stand, divided we fall."

The good news is that Jesus Christ will bring us all back together as one flock (John 10:1-16). Ultimately, we will all be one as He and the Father are one (John 17:11). How soon this happens, and how much grief and pain we go through in the meantime depends on how much we work for the precious unity that God loves and that Jesus prayed for and will achieve. We can be part of the problem or part of the solution. Specifically, here’s what can be done:

1) Realize and be convicted by the need to build bridges and draw together. 2) Deal with your emotions. Put away your anger with God’s help. Remember, God says, "Vengeance is mine; I will repay" (Rom. 12:19). 3) Stop spreading rumors. Get the

straight scoop direct from the source. 4) Seek understanding of doctrinal differences and "agree to disagree" on matters of application. 5) Accept each other as brothers and sisters in Christ and treat each other with love and respect.

Ministers, especially church leaders, in addition to the above:

1) Seek input from fellow ministers and members. (Mr. Kubik jokingly recommended installing a "gong" in every meeting hall that members could sound when the minister says something inappropriate to our Christian code of ethics.) 2) Establish a dialogue between organizations. Seek to learn from other points of view, not just defend your own. 3) Strive to iron out doctrinal differences and misunderstandings through open, honest, Bible study and discussion. Clearly define doctrinal differences and respect everyone’s right to practice their beliefs without criticism or condemnation. 4) Plan joint activities between church organizations. Begin with social activities. Work toward combined Holy Day services and even combined Sabbath services, especially in areas where members are few and far between. Establish "ground rules" such as: Preach on common ground, avoiding issues that could cause offense. Make sure members understand and respect doctrinal differences. Make announcements, give news, etc., of all the groups represented. Do not allow putdowns, pressure or proselytizing. 5) Pursue other joint ventures in publishing, evangelism, seminars, etc.

"Why can’t we all be together?" We can. We must. We will. Let’s all determine to do what we can to batter down the barriers and build bridges of love and understanding.