As a manifestation of their...
Illustration
As a manifestation of their love, Pat and Ted had a son, Tommy.
As a manifestation of irreconcilable and cataclysmic differences that divided them, Pat and Ted were divorced several years later. Tommy was not enough glue to hold them together.
Through the years, Tommy had an assortment of problems at school and in the community. Once, he barely survived a near-fatal illness.
Pat and Ted were worlds apart with new marriages and new families. Yet, each came to school when there were conferences, each went to the juvenile court when there were problems, each rushed to the hospital, each prayed, each loved. Although the liturgies of their lives were dramatically different, they were united in one mission: to reach out in love to care for the life of their son.
Merger mania can be a blessing to the church in our generation if unity of purpose and unity in mission are not confused with unity in opinion and unity in ritual.
Ecumaniacs can be celebrated as prophets if they lead us to see that being one in the Spirit and one in Christ and one in loving concern for each other can lead us to celebrate diversity.
The visible reunion of the church is important for the mission of Christ's church. But, if union is achieved for any purpose other than mission, it will not be a manifestation of God's love.
As a manifestation of irreconcilable and cataclysmic differences that divided them, Pat and Ted were divorced several years later. Tommy was not enough glue to hold them together.
Through the years, Tommy had an assortment of problems at school and in the community. Once, he barely survived a near-fatal illness.
Pat and Ted were worlds apart with new marriages and new families. Yet, each came to school when there were conferences, each went to the juvenile court when there were problems, each rushed to the hospital, each prayed, each loved. Although the liturgies of their lives were dramatically different, they were united in one mission: to reach out in love to care for the life of their son.
Merger mania can be a blessing to the church in our generation if unity of purpose and unity in mission are not confused with unity in opinion and unity in ritual.
Ecumaniacs can be celebrated as prophets if they lead us to see that being one in the Spirit and one in Christ and one in loving concern for each other can lead us to celebrate diversity.
The visible reunion of the church is important for the mission of Christ's church. But, if union is achieved for any purpose other than mission, it will not be a manifestation of God's love.
