What Makes Us Different?
Have you ever wondered about all the different Christian denominations? Sometimes the differences can seem so subtle. Yet, for as much as we have in common, so often, it’s the small differences that succeed in driving us apart.The Covenant denomination declares itself as without any specific doctrine. We have an unofficial motto that goes something like, “Unity in Christ. Diversity in all else.” That sounds nice; but, it doesn’t keep those small differences from invading our relationships.
Our church motto is “Come as you are.” I think we’re pretty good at welcoming people wherever they are in their Christian walk. But it means that we have differences from the get go. “Come as you are” can be difficult to live out.
One of the things that may make our church a little different is that we’ve begun to think about these things…these differences…and we have begun to explore them. We’ve begun to look beyond our political and theological differences long enough to actually examine them together. What often results is the realization that no matter how great our differences seem to be, we have much more in common. We have found, time and again, that we tend to make assumptions about each other which are almost always wrong. And finally, even if we haven’t changed each others’ minds, we have a better understanding for how the other got to where they are. Looking carefully at our difference actually deepens our relationships.
The Covenant Affirmations speak of the “Freedom in Christ”, not as something we claim for ourselves, but something we offer to the other.
Another bit of old Covenant wisdom is the question: “Where is it written?” The Bible is central to our faith; but we recognize that people may take away different messages when they read the Bible. We’ve begun to realize that more truth is revealed when we begin to listen to each other and the message that each has taken from what we’ve read together.
So, come as you are. I think we really mean it.
Respectfully submitted,
Ron Lawrence