I am a minister in a Christian church, I am a graduate of Lincoln, and I am currently attending seminary in Cincinnati. I have struggled for years with the issue of fellowship. We in the Christian church have made a name for ourselves in Christendom for not fellowshipping with other denominations. I feel this has been detrimental in our ministry. In the small town in which I minister, our church is known as "the church that won't fellowship with any other church." This troubles me. What are the essentials that unify the church? Does love extend to those who don't share our understanding of Scripture?

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1999

Answers

I have struggled for years with the issue of fellowship.

What fellowship can light have with darkness?

We in the Christian church have made a name for ourselves in Christendom for not fellowshipping with other denominations.

Historically, we are in good company. The early Christians were called "haters of mankind".

I feel this has been detrimental in our ministry.

God expects us to live by faith, not feelings.

In the small town in which I minister, our church is known as "the church that won't fellowship with any other church." This troubles me.

The cross troubled Jesus. It is for those who are perishing, "foolishness."

What are the essentials that unify the church?

The Gospel.

Does love extend to those who don't share our understanding of Scripture?

Yes. We are to love even our enemies

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1999

It use to bug me to think how we do not have alot of fellowship with the denominational world until I have notice through me experience that we will not open doors to teach others through these type of associations. If you want to make a difference get to be friends with the denominational preachers. I also noticed we are always the ones that are asked to compromise. We are expected to conform to their way of salvation. We are expected to conform to what they want to do and what ends up happening is we keep our mouths shut or we just do not participate. Remember historically, we tried to associate with the denominational world. Remember the Baptist kicked us out. It did not work and it still doesn't. We are not like them. You might think they want to have unity. I know someone who wrote 6 different preachers from 6 different denominations about unity. None of them wanted but they feared it because they kept talking about which group would be in control or they were comfortable with the politics in their group and did not want to make it more complicated. I think the best way to get to know these people and open doors of communication will not happen through their fellowship groups that they control. It will happen when we go and get to know these people one oon one and communicate with them.

-- Anonymous, September 09, 1999