A break from the Hidden People/Hidden History series…

It is Sunday night and I am tired. I finished our 10 week series on “Identity” this morning. The series was to introduce to our members the beginnings of the Stone-Campbell movement using the Declaration and Address as a guide (this is the 200th anniversary of the D&A). We talked about what we did right, what we did wrong, how the D&A has helped us, and how it has hurt us. Since at least 60% of our people don’t come from the Stone-Campbell tradition (some put it over 70%) this fascinated them. We timed the series to end today, the day of the Great Communion.

I found out today that some people thought the Great Communion was my idea. I wish I had come up with it but, no, it wasn’t my idea. A faculty member at Rochester College has a good relationship with the minister at the Disciples congregation on Woodward Avenue. They got in touch with me and asked if they could have lunch with me. It was there that I learned that some Disciples groups were trying to build bridges between their congregations and those in the Churches of Christ and the Independent Christian Churches. There was even a website (greatcommunion.org). I went to our elders the next day and told them I wanted us to do this and they were unanimous in their enthusiastic endorsement of the idea. We knew we would catch some flak for it but… that’s nothing new.

As a man who used to believe that God had called us to divide upon the drop of a hat, I have had a long and complicated journey to where I am today (and I know He isn’t done with me yet). Now, I want to drop old arguments that lost their power to convince at least a hundred years ago. I want to acknowledge all children of my Father as my brothers or sisters. So… we started planning for the big day. Months later, it is over.

I will try to get photos (several people brought cameras) and post them here and/or Facebook. In the meantime, here are the highlights. I welcomed the crowd — variously estimated at 450-550. A minister from the Independents read a couple of paragraphs from the D&A and made some comments setting up the hour. Our praise team led three beautiful songs and the singing was, frankly, astounding. I heard quite a few comments from the other fellowships about how wonderful our singing is. See? Acapella can be the best thing going, people, if it is done with heart and power. Then, five African-American ministers from four different Disciples congregations stood and sang two songs acapella. They rocked the house! It was amazing. The praise band from the Christian Church led us in Amazing Grace and other songs. Then, the ministers from the Christian Church and Disciples of Christ and myself took turns talking for a few minutes each. A prayer by Sara Barton and a song and we were ready for the table.

One elder from each fellowship stood behind the table. We had to get our table out of storage as we have served from the rear for seven years. It was a bit shopworn so Kami made a special drape for it out of off white and purple fabric. It was gorgeous. After the communion, we had a call and response reading. I noticed that the African-American ministers stood every time there was a reading from Scripture so I stood with them. I couldn’t just sit while they stood; that didn’t seem right. They were our guests, after all. Then, we were closed out in prayer by our own JC Thomas, a well known African-American minister who now worships with us. We adjourned to a reception hosted by the elders from all three fellowships. I would guess that 90% stayed for at least a half hour and many stayed longer than an hour.

There are already plans to meet to discuss what comes next. We know we want to do something with each other for Christmas — both shows and charitable works — but there is much more to do before we can declare this rift healed. We do not deny that there are difference between us; some of which are serious. However, we are convinced that what unites us is much greater than anything that divides us. We now realize that division is a sin, not a duty, and that love must trump everything else except our devotion to Jesus as the Son of God.

Now… rest. I’ll try to write a better report later and post it over at Facebook and maybe send it in to Christian Chronicle. That will mean that we will get more hate mail but that’s okay… we love the people who send it even if they don’t love us. We will answer their questions as best we can, but we will argue and fight with no one. Our call is to love them, not win debates.

Thank you, God, for today. You were right — we are greater and better when we are together… and they WILL know we are your disciples by our love for each other.