Gary Holloway has written a great article about Barton Stone’s different models of unity.
Stone wrote about three models that have historically failed to create and maintain unity among believers.
Book union-unity based on creedal agreement.
Head union-unity based on common understanding of the Bible.
Water union-unity based on immersion into water.
He suggests a fourth model that he calls “Fire Union.” This is unity created and sustained by the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. In Stone’s words, “The members of the body cannot live unless by union with the head-nor can the members of the church be united, unless first united with Christ, the living head. His spirit is the bond of union. Men have devised many plans to unite Christians – all are vain. There is but one effectual plan, which is, that all be united with Christ and walk in him.”
What Stone calls fire union has been called by others “relational union.” Christ-followers are united with each other because they share a common relationship with Christ.
I’d like to suggest another phrase that might help us enter conversations about unity from a different direction–Missional union. This is unity based on our common mission. We are one, not because we share a common worship style or have the same name on our sign or because we agree on the who and what and when and why of baptism, but because we share a common Enemy. Our fight against the forces of darkness in the name of Jesus puts us on the same team whether we want to be or not.
“Master,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.” Luke 9:49-50 (NIV)
Telling Stories, Asking Questions, Learning Lessons
1Corinthians 2:1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit?s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men?s wisdom, but on God?s power.
Resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ and him crucified . . . faith that rests on God’s power . . . could it be said any better or clearer.
How long, Lord Jesus, how long will we continue to exclude, divide and generally be disagreeable???
The Church is not a club that excludes, but an open door to all who call Jesus Lord.
Let’s accept our differences, whatever our heritage, tribe, or church affiliation trusting God’s power as it is at work in the cross of Christ hopefully learning the lesson of Peter that God does not show favoritism.
Galatians 6:14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.
Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!
It struck me that our “church” lacks that “Holy Spirit” fire. Maybe that is why we struggle with unity. I don’t mean the “gifts”, I mean “God alive” in us as christians. We need the “fire”. Lynn
I am not an AMEN kind of guy, but I don’t know what else to say.
Too many people shelved on pews thinking there is no enemy.
Missional Union…I can subscribe to that.
Amen, Wade!
Erwin McManus talks about Fire in “Unstoppable Force” and I’ve caught the “fire” lately…it’s changed my perspective on life, on faith, on the church. He also talks about the Jonathan Factor and that moment in our faith when we decide that together we’re going to head up that mountain and “pick a fight” for the cause of God. I believe when the church is willing to take on that daily challenge, we’ll become unified around the greatest cause, the cause of Christ working in a broken world.
I also addressed this in my post today with a little different bent on discipleship and “getting dirty” for His purposes…I believe no better way to unify, than to set about a task (or a fight) in service to others in the name of Christ.
Peace,
Carl
…and it burns, burns, burns! This ring of fire!!!
I’ve kinda based unity the last 10 years or so on who ever else is faithfully carrying the banner of Christ as Lord (nebulous I know but I’m a very aesthetic guy) is someone I can be unified with. Was this missional thinking before missional became a word? I’m far from an innovator so probably not. I think I jive with this perspective though. A common enemy (while I do believe we have a living breathing enemy who is constantly scheming against us) as our point of unity would unite me with some that I just can’t see myself as being united with. Folks who see Christ as “good guy”, “faithful prophet”, or “masterful teacher” is not enough for me to stand unified with. They might agree on our common enemy however. Tough to say. Maybe I need to (again) stretch my vision of unity??? Probably so.
Gary Holloway was my 9th grade Bible teacher in Atlanta. My how far we’ve both come…
I’m encouraged by the discussion of Christian unity happening in books, blogs, and assorted gatherings: such a fitting topic in this hundredth year after a division in our tribe. I’ve often wondered how truth and unity can co-exist among so many interpretations of truth … mission might just be the focus that gives us the answer.
Right on Wade. I have always wondered why it was that we couldn’t be united in our common goals not our differences. Luke 9 is a great example of that!