Why Are We Here?

This is the concluding title in the message series A Movement for Wholeness in a Fragmented World all about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Last year I did one message about the DOC and folks said "We need to do this every year." This year I expanded it to "Who Are We?", "What Do We Believe?" and this Sunday "Why Are We Here?" The first two were fairly easy to explain; well, as easy as anything Disciple is to explain. We're Stone/Campbell Restoration folk who are not easily lead but yet want to be open to to Christian unity. But this week's question is tougher. What I'm seeking an answer for is what unique thing do we offer the world? I asked the question on Facebook and one of my fellow pastors said "Why do we have to be unique?"

Certainly, we don't. In fact, the thing that is somewhat unique about us, that drive toward Christian unity, would ultimately make us NOT unique but part of an amorphous thing known as the Christian church universal. However, I don't see that happening any time soon. There are two main reasons I can think of:

1. Those who like black and white answers are very ill at ease with those of us who see shades of gray. Biblical literalists are rarely capable of granting space to those of us who see the Bible in shades of metaphor.
2. People are tribal. We like to know how to identify those who we know will agree with us and defend us.

These 2 traits alone make Christian unity impossible for the foreseeable future. Until humanity is able to overcome the desire to be certain, we will not be able to overcome our differences and become one Christian community. And so, as long as we, the DOC, do exist -- why? Why should we continue to exist? What are we doing for the world that others are not?

There is perhaps nothing that we are doing that others aren't. But we are a driving force for openness, for accepting the different races and cultures into our midst (although, they are forming their own congregations, not joining existing ones. See #2 above). We appreciate and foster an atmosphere of self-exploration of faith issues. We're pretty passionate about justice, and many in our midst are devoted to peace. Since we don't have any creed but Christ, our tent is pretty big and open.

I have long thought that the beauty of the CC (DOC) is just that -- no creed but Christ. And I for one can see a very broad interpretation of our affirmation that "Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God" and "acceptance as personal savior." Which means that lots of folks can come in, kick the tires on this thing called church, search for meaning and belief, and still be accepted without pressure. No one is asked to hurry up and make a decision. No one is threatening hell and damnation. We try mightily to practice love and acceptance. We also fail at that -- but not for lack of desire.

I believe in the More (see Marcus Borg "The Heart of Christianity") and think that life is better when we understand that More in the way that Jesus did. The Disciples have let me come to this place, to search, to seek, to learn, to laugh, to grow. Maybe they exist only for me -- but I doubt it!