The church is a divided house. This is not new, shocking news. Yet, in the 21st century there is an added component to this phenomenon, which has do with how people who consider themselves outside the church see the church. They see the church not just as a divided house; they see it as a divisive house. To them, the church doesn’t just have dysfunction; it creates dysfunction. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that, in his last prayer (in John), Jesus prays that we may be one in him and his mission. In the end, our differences are part of the mission; the hope is that we’ll use our different gifts and passions to love God and neighbor above everything else to build God’s kingdom on earth.

Message from Sunday, April 6, 2014.