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I See One Family of Believers;
What Do You See?
Thirteen years after the end of the 20th Century, the Church in the USA continues to be pulled apart by the same forces that kept it separate during the previous 100 years. Not that there weren't divisions before the previous century, but these divisions were institutionalized. The early 20th Century witnessed the creation of the Federal Council of Churches (1908), which in 1950 became the National Council of Churches. The National Association of Evangelicals was formed in 1942. The reasons for the creation of these two institutions during this period were not a coincidence. During the following 20 years, these two institutions grew and solidified their appeal to their constituencies. During the same period, Americans began to change their perception of the Catholic Church, and the Church's influence in our country grew exponentially. These three expressions of the Church played a major role in shaping the ecumenical scenario in the USA during the last 100 years. (I have over simplified the history and complexities of the ecumenical reality during the 20th Century for reasons of brevity.)
The arrival of the 21st Century forced the Church to explore new ways of being that could address the realities of new generations. By late 20th Century, new church movements began to emerge in the USA; movements like the Emergent Church, the New Monasticism, the Slow Church and the House Church Movement. These movements have emerged in an attempt to re-introduce the Church to a new century and to new generations. To a large extent, they have intentionally, or not, attempted to erase the inherited denominational and ideological divisions. History will tell to what extent these movements succeed in re-introducing the Church to Millennials and future generations. These movements have mostly grown out of the Evangelical movement. Many Protestant denominations are also experimenting with the methodologies used by these movements.
It is also during the early 21st Century that Christian Churches Together (CCT) emerged in the ecumenical scenario. I should note here that there has been an intentional attempt in CCT to distance itself from using the term ecumenical to describe itself. The basic reason for this is the need to break with the theological and ideological battles of the previous century. In a recent CCT meeting, a bishop described CCT as an "ecumenical institution for the 21st Century."
Some leaders of the Church are beginning to talk about the need to do away with old ecumenical paradigms and institutions.
Has the time come in our country for a movement that unites the followers of Christ regardless of their theological and ideological preferences? Could Christian Churches Together be the movement that will open the Church to a new era of fellowship and cooperation?
In the spirit of Pentecost, I believe that the Holy Spirit is yearning for the day when the Church allows Christ to fulfill his desire to bless the world with a united body of followers. Doesn't the world deserve the opportunity to witness the reconciling power of Christ? Isn't the Church supposed to be that witness in the world?
What do we see? What are our expectations? Some Evangelicals hope that, sometime soon, the "old Protestant" denominations become sidelined and continue to decrease in membership until they finally die. On the other hand, some Protestants believe that the Evangelical movement has seen its best years and that their theology no longer appropriately responds to the complexities of life in the 21st Century. Many mainline Christians believe that the Catholic Church is becoming more irrelevant and is disconnected from the present reality. Evangelicals, on the other hand, increasingly see the Catholic Church as a strong ally.
What does God see? Does our reality determine God's intentions or desires? Is God an Evangelical? Is God a Protestant? Is God Catholic? Which groupings do the Holy Spirit supports? Which of these movements or institutions does God want to get rid off?
Let me share what I think of these questions by using a biblical analogy. In 2 Kings 3:13-20, we read that the kings of Judah and Israel united to fight king of Moab. To get to Moab, they chose to cross through the dessert of Edom. After seven days in the dessert, the armies ran out of water. The kings knew that they were in great trouble; they could all die even before the battle began. They asked if there was any prophet of God among them. One who "used to pour water on the hands of Elijah" was with them, his name was Elisha. This is what the prophet said:
"But now bring me a harpist." While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, "This is what the Lord says, 'I will fill this valley with pools of water.' For this is what the Lord says, 'You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink.'" (2 Kings 3: 15-17)
It seems that only in a dream can we imagine churches that, for 100 years, have parted their own ways, coming together in a common table to pray, breaking bread and exploring ways to face the ills and sins of culture and society. The kings could not see water, but water was coming, because God has promised it. The Holy Spirit is working among us to make the prayer of Jesus a reality. One united family of Christ that God will use to give life to an ill and suffering world.
Rev. Carlos L. Malavé
Executive Director
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