I feel passionately that the world should learn from the church. But that does not imply that we should be ignorant or arrogant about what we can learn in the other direction! But, for me, ‘Thy Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven’ has a very practical and influential application.
Recently I had the privilege of joining about 100 others from around the nation at a Gather Summit where unity was shared and discussed. Many towns, boroughs and cities told their stories, some, such as York, stretching over 20 years.
What is unity?
The gathering was shaped by the desire to share experience of unity among churches and I tried to be attentive to discern how this had come about and what was the fruit.
Unity is, I believe, on God’s heart. God speaks to us in Ps 133
1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! 2 It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! 3 It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the LORD has commanded the blessing, life forevermore.
‘Where brothers dwell in unity … the Lord has commanded the blessing…’ Sounds good! But what is unity?
At times it is tempting to think that unity is gathering twice a year as a fraternal, or equivalent. Emphatically ‘no’! Surely it is something deeper than that. It cannot be organised; it must be organic.
I believe I observed four keys in a process that seemed to be common in those locations where there was conspicuous fruit, and in no case had this happened ‘overnight’.
Friendship > Prayer > Vision > Action
1. Friendship.
I listened attentively in sessions and spoke to several church leaders from towns that appeared to have achieved a remarkable degree of unity. In nearly every case, it had started with coffee! I found that leaders had met together regularly on a one-to-one basis, or in a small group, to share friendship. Often church leaders are very lonely and protective of their particular setting. But as they came to know one another and became vulnerable they relaxed and enjoyed each other’s company. It is so important to echo the sentiment expressed in the title of the book by John Piper ‘Brothers, we are not professionals’. Friendship is about meeting each other at heart level.
2. Prayer
As friendship grew I noted that these leaders started to pray with one another. Inevitably they became more transparent and found empathy with others as they sought God together. As their prayer fellowship grew they were able to invite others to join them. Like a bonfire, a hot heart (ie a prayer culture) had been established into which others could be absorbed and the fire would spread.
3. Vision
Prayer with a listening ear to the Holy Spirit brings vision, sometimes specific sometimes more general. But in all cases it bring a move forward in advancing the Kingdom in that locality.
4. Action
Once trust had been established across churches and there was an expectation that the Holy Spirit would lead activity followed. This was seen in many ways, often in joint ministries such as Street Pastors (late night teams on the streets to protect vulnerable people such as drunk party goers), Foodbanks, Debt Advice (eg Christians Against Poverty or Community Money Advice). There was also a growing sense of being able to work with the charitable sector who also cared for the poor and vulnerable, with the public sector (eg local government, education, police) and with businesses, who might offer work placements for those coming out of life-controlling addictions.
Fruit
Many stories were told of lives changed, local government strategy shaped, rundown areas being regenerated, all through the active participation of local churches in genuine unity and speaking with one voice.
Challenge to Church Leaders
At such events there can be a tendency to hear only the success stories. Clearly that is not always the case. But I was greatly encouraged that there were many that were good and I felt my faith rise to see more Kingdom influence in the years ahead. If you are reading this as a church leader I urge you to reach out to one or two other church leaders and have a coffee with them on a regular basis. Maybe a fire will be lit in your town that cannot be quenched!