Could we pastors, priests, and ministry professionals begin to finally “get over” the idea of separation and competition?
In one of his last public talks, Dallas Willard made the following statement to pastors and others in ministry: “The most important part of your ministry is that to other ministers. Come to know them and begin to get over the idea of separation and competition.”
This is such a great statement and a noble idea. Yes, Dallas speaks the truth.
But putting his words into practice is much more difficult.
I am a pastor, and I enjoy getting together with other pastors in my own community. A few weeks ago I had coffee with a local Catholic priest, Father Patrick.
Every few weeks, I attend a weekday noon mass where they read from Scripture, confess sins, and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Father Patrick has a great heart. His parish includes a large college campus and I was encouraged to hear that they have 300 students involved in Bible studies.
They challenge the students to be chaste and sober as they follow Jesus and obey his commands. Fr. Patrick’s desire for his congregation, old and young alike, is that they (in his words), “have Jesus in their hearts.”
We did not talk about Mariology, transubstantiation, or papal authority.
A few days later I attended a Wednesday night Bible study at a local (primarily African-American) Pentecostal church. His church is part of a world-wide denomination that would be labeled “Oneness Pentecostalism” – which affirms the unity of the Godhead, the deity and humanity of Jesus Christ, and the deity and activity of the Holy Spirit, but doesn’t line up with the historically orthodox understanding of the Trinity.
I’ve become friends with Pastor Derek and we’ve had many conversations together. He loves God, loves the Bible, and ...
from Christianity Today Magazine https://ift.tt/2s5XK2p
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