Unity

In the Civil War, canons played a huge role in deciding the outcome of battles, and thus, the war itself. Each canon required up to eight men to operate and six…

Four pastors were in the habit of meeting together to discuss their beliefs, doctrine, and overall theology. For whatever reason, it was always three pastors in agreement against the fourth. One morning, after the usual 3-to-1 “majority rules” discussion, the odd pastor out decided he would appeal to a higher authority.

In Psalm 133:1, King David joyfully declared, “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” The ancient king could easily distinguish between hostility and peace…and probably knew that the latter was often hard to come by.

Just like it is between two churches in modern day Toledo, OH.

The story is told of a man who had reached the end of his rope, had given up hope, and feeling all alone, was about to jump off the side of a bridge. Fortunately, another man saw what was about to happen and raced over to help him.

That’s when it got really interesting.

I love grilling. I love smoking BBQ. In fact, I love doing anything that involves searing meat on an open flame! That smell and the crackling sound – mixed with the taste of an ice-cold refreshing IBC Root Beer – compels me to break out my manly utensils of culinary creation on a weekly basis.

But while grilling the other day, I had a revelation about our fellowship as Christians.

George Whitefield and John Wesley were contemporaries on the theological landscape of 18th Century England. Originally, they were close friends, but throughout their lives, doctrinal differences separated the two greatly. In private letters, they shared sharp words with one another.

But how they presented their differences in the public’s eye was uncommon…both then and now.

On Sunday night, January 30, 2011, police officers in Fletcher, North Carolina, responded to dispatch’s report of a huge fight. But these law enforcement agents weren’t called to a school, or a sporting event, or even a local bar.

Nope. They were called out to a Baptist church.