Bob Mumford in his article "Unity in the Church" A plan
which prepares our understanding for the coming corporate
person we know to be the many membered body of Christ. Here
is the bait: "Because the body of Christ is fragmented, He
cannot give us all that is in His heart for the new millennium."
"The fact is that when the segmented and "denominationalized"
body of Christ takes hold of a truth - major visitation or some
aspect of the kingdom God that could make a difference to
the church as a whole - it is always subjected the following
four
pressures: 1.Introversion which leads to "spiritual
incest." Distortion: the incestuous cycle creates
and feeds spiritual paranoia which leads to spiritual
schizophrenia. Perversion: the
truth is abandoned while the outward forms are retained. Dismantling: The
overall effect is the embarrassment of God,.. and forces him
to push the "destruct" button.. As we approach the
Third Millennium, I believe reconciliation will take five forms
that are necessary to prepare us. It will be: 1.Transdenominational:
gives us a larger heart and expresses the fullness of the Father's heart..
accept that your denomination is an incomplete expression of the mind
of God. 2. Transsocial: become involved, risk. 3. Transracial:
including Black, white, Latino, Native American, Asian
and Semite. 4. Transcultural Culture: learn to accept others
as part of your family in Christ. 5. Transgenerational: turn the hearts
of the fathers to the children..
Are you locked in the confines of your own church or religious
tradition? Let God set you free and give you a heart for
the whole body of Christ. (see Charisma, July 1998)
Churches in Tampa ask races to step away from the divide at the graveside
memorial of the two slain police detectives. The message of
Restoration '98: to build bridges of unity in the community, it's
up to the churches to break down the racial, denominational and gender walls.
Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas.
People can begin by getting involved in their churches. Evans said.
"With nearly half a million churches in the United
States, that's the largest potential volunteer force in
this country." His suggestions offer job training,
get people off welfare, mentoring programs, teen clubs, ect., ect..
The March for Jesus, which was taking place in 700 cities in
150 countries included Catholic Cops for Christ. Even Tampa Law enforcement
officers and County Sheriffs gathered in a prayer circle and prayed.
The crowd fell silent and prayed with them.