I hope this lives up to it’s promise. Unity is always a good thing!

What IU always find funny about these things is that when we start listing all of the “denominations” involved, we have to list separate groups with in the same ‘label’… like above.

“Two of the nation’s largest black denominations—the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc. and the National Baptist Convention of America—officially joined as members during the Atlanta meeting.”

Are we really supposed to believe that BAPTISTS are going to get along with BAPTISTS?!?!?!  There is something big happening here!  (sarcasm intended)

It is a judgement on us as the CHURCH that it makes BIG HEADLINES when we get along.

I too think unity is important, both genuine and authentic unity, and the visible appearance of unity to those looking in on us.  The pagan public has observed too much of our infighting and picking apart of one another over methodology and “non-essential” issues that separate us. 

Some will argue that Christian churches and denominations should not participate because this group calls itself “Christian,” and some participating are not “Christian” based on their doctrine [read Catholic].  The argument is, I believe, that observers will assume alignment between the groups philosophically and theologically.  I’d guess that is why the SB have decided not to participate, and I think this is sad. 

Yes, outsiders may well jump to theological alignment assumptions, but what difference does it make?  The group is not linking arms to adopt a shared doctrinal statement or teach theology.  And . . . a core value in the theology of each participating group is (or should be) social justice. Right?  So on this they are indeed aligned. 

Although I am saddened by many of his statements and methods, I was thrilled to see Pat Robertson and George Clooney partnered on Nightline a few months back talking about how their organizations were joining together in the fight to overcome the Aids pandemic in Africa.  Isn’t this the same thing?

IMO the Southern Baptist’s intentional non-participation in this ecumenical effort to fight poverty just made their Super Bowl commercial about being a caring and socially conscious denomination look like a bunch of hypocritical double-talk.

Wendi

Pastor Al, if I’m reading my Bible correctly, Jesus did a whole lot of body healing separate from soul saving.  Many - but probably not all - of those who came for physical healing walked away having been spiritually healed, as well.  In the 21st century as in the 1st, people are far more willing to listen to a spiritual message if their physical needs are first met.  If giving a hungry person a bowl of soup opens the door to giving them a savior, bring on the ladles.  If I have to serve up a hundred bowls to bring one person into the kingdom...well, let’s dance with angels!

Pastor Al, I think what Randy is maybe latching on to is the fact that the body/soul distinction is quite foreign to Jesus’ ministry.  Physical healing and spiritual healing are both healing.  And they’re both good.  And they’re both included in our mission to spread God’s Kingdom.  We are to manifest the future reality of God’s Reign (where there will be no sickness, no poverty, and no war) in the here and now.  I think it isn’t true to the Spirit of Christ’s work to say, first we deal with souls, and then if we have time we deal with everything else.  No.  We seek first the Kingdom of God, which encompasses the physical AND the spiritual.

Randy and Daniel,

First let me say that I am not against the need to feed the poor and bind up those that are broken.  And yes in many circumstances one first needs to address the physical needs before the spiritual issues can even be addressed.  My concern is that while this might be the case in some instances it doesn’t align with the life of our Lord or Scripture to say that Food and Clothing and Healing are the primary responsibility of the Church or equal with the Spiritual needs people have.  They’re a responsibility to be sure, but not the primary.  Daniel you quoted from Matt 6 in an attempt to support your theses.  Yet upon the review of Jesus’ own words he makes it quite clear that our first priority should be, NOT what we will eat, drink, wear, or live but to pursue the Kingdom of God. 

Matthew 6:30-33
30 “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 “For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

You will notice that he doesn’t deny the issue that we have physical needs, he just says pursue God’s Kingdom First and the Father will supply what is lacking.  Sounds like he was putting a priority on the Spiritual above the Physical.

Furthermore, when he began his ministry he didn’t say, “Feed those people there and get some clothes for those over there.” He said, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” One has to remember that while God might “heal” this broken body at one time or another, this body is going to eventually die, and our souls will live.  So no matter what physical health you have on this side of heaven, the only real “health” God is looking when we stand before him is our spiritual health, our body will have decayed in the ground. As you can see I do not equate the Physical with the Spiritual, they are related and they can have an effect on each other, but they do not have the same destination.

Blessings,
Pastor Al

Daniel,

You said: “Second, you mentioned in passing that the Physical and the Spiritual have two different destinations.”

Let me clear up my thoughts.  This body will die and decay.  When we are resurrected we will have a “new” body to house our spirit, if I understand my Bible correctly, which at this point in the week is a stretch to begin with!

Blessings and like you I am glad for any movement that will help alleviate the sufferings of others.

Pastor Al

Something to remember:  While as an entity the Southern Baptist Convention has chosen not to be involved in this effort, such a decision is not binding on any Southern Baptist church.  As a SBC pastor, I rejoice to see “Christian Churches Together in the USA,” and will help my congregation see the joy of this as well.

Pastor Mark