Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor

William Floyd Dopp has served as a parish priest and as a church administrator involved in the development of congregations. He earned his doctorate in congregational development at Seabury-Western Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He holds a Master of Divinity from the Claremont School of Theology.

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The Tale of Two Churches

Trafford Publishing

Contents

INTRODUCTION..........................................................................viiCHAPTER ONE: Today's Church, OCC and EMC..............................................1CHAPTER TWO: The Power of the EMC.....................................................15CHAPTER THREE: The Holy Decline of the OCC............................................29CHAPTER FOUR: EMC, Education of the Faithful: Christian Formation.....................39CHAPTER FIVE: Worship in the EMC......................................................51CHAPTER SIX: EMC, Ministry to the World...............................................63CHAPTER SEVEN: The E-word, Evangelism in the EMC......................................73CHAPTER EIGHT: Measuring Our Course...................................................83CHAPTER NINE: Motivating the EMC......................................................97CHAPTER TEN: Celebrating the EMC......................................................107

Chapter One

A few years ago at a Bible study I was leading, one of the students asked the group, "Why is the church so divided?" We had just read how Jesus said that he and the Father are one (John 10:30 RSV). The question was a good one. If Jesus asked us to be one, just as He and the Father are one, why do we not follow his instructions?

I liked the way the discussion followed. We agreed that the unity of the church comes in our unity in Christ and that our unity with God the Father comes through Jesus, but at first we failed to come to a conclusion on how we are to be unified with each other when we honestly have differences and disagreements.

Our final thought was that our differences do not mean that we are not united. One person noted that Jesus never said we had to agree, he said we have to love each other. That, we agreed, is much more difficult.

The church has always had its different camps. The divisions sometimes have kept the church from doing its work here on earth, but in other times the divisions have led to greater understanding and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, a renewed faith.

The tale of two churches goes back two thousand years, maybe even further. When Jesus walked the paths of the Holy Land there were two main lines of Jewish teaching, the Law and the Prophets. Jesus came in answer to one and to fulfill the other. The union of the two was completed in the Resurrection and was set into motion as a new relationship with God at Pentecost.

The early church quickly divided into two groups, Greeks and Jews. St. Paul came along to unite these two. Later the church divided into east and west, Greek and Latin. That division still remains, although the division has softened into mostly cultural identity rather than theological differences.

Over the centuries there have been endless divisions that have separated Christians from one another. In 1517, Martin Luther published The Ninety-Five Theses, not to divide the church, but rather to reform it. With all of his good intentions, the western church was divided into Protestant and Catholic. That division still remains, but it too has softened. Most of Luther's ninety-five points have been generally accepted by Protestants and Catholics alike.

Luther would be so pleased that Roman Catholics today can receive communion in both the Host and the Cup. They sing hymns in worship, as well. Mostly, he would be pleased that the practice of trying to buy your way into heaven through indulgences has faded away. Luther's understanding of salvation by faith alone has become a universal teaching. The Roman Catholic Church has even forgiven Luther and some have praised him for his reforms.

Other divisions have come and gone. My own Anglican tradition had its high and low church liturgical styles. These traditions have led to new denominations such as the Presbyterians, Puritans, and Methodists. Again, these differences have softened. Most mainline churches have become very much alike. The average Presbyterian these days would feel comfortable in any of the other churches and most likely would not know the difference except for a few favorite hymns and some traditional prayers. Today people easily move between one denomination and another. Church leaders are very much aware that today there is very little "denominational brand loyalty," especially among young people.

Today there are differences in churches that I would not call divisions, but rather the diversity of the universal church. Traditional and contemporary worship, even conservative and liberal theology, are not necessarily divisions in the church but rather are expressions of the faith. It is only when these things become the central focus of a congregation or group of churches that Christian orthodoxy (true belief) is breached and division happens. This is when mission is usually lost.

A friend of mine says that it is when we worship our worship style, or when we worship our political correctness then we are separated from the Body of Christ. I think she is correct. Our biggest problems in the church today happen when we begin to worship an idol, whatever it may be.

There are wonderful liberal-thinking congregations, usually in big cities, that are reaching out to the marginalized. These churches often are a voice for social justice in their communities. They have led the way for human rights and they are in mission to those who suffer in today's urban jungles. They take Christ out into the world so that he will be known to those who would other wise not find him. These are the EMC.

Likewise, there are also wonderful conservative congregations often found in suburban areas which are keeping the faith among those struggling with the complexities of our changing society. They have stood up for family values at a time when families are failing. They are bringing faith values back to people who have lost their way in the secular world. They also make Christ known to many who would not otherwise know his love and grace. These too are the EMC.

I wish that liberals and conservatives would take the time to see the value of the other's role in the greater church. Both are desperately needed.

Finding Common Ground

In May 2009, President Barack Obama addressed the graduates at Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. As he made his remarks he was facing protesters who disagreed with his pro-choice stance on abortions. In a May 18, 2009 Washington Post report he was quoted, "As citizens of a vibrant and varied democracy, how do we engage in vigorous debate? How does each of us remain firm in our principles, and fight for what we consider right, without demonizing those with just as strongly held convictions on the other side?" The president posed a great question.

Liberals and conservatives listen to him. We do not need to agree to be in love and charity with each other. Obama went on to say, "Let us find the common ground." In his remarks he suggested, "Let us work together to reduce the number of women seeking abortions."

A Roman Catholic neighbor of mine commented on the president's address. She said, "I like his way of looking at abortion." She added, "I don't agree with him because I am pro-life. That is my religious conviction, but I think what the president is saying is that we should get women to choose life not abortion." She looked at me and asked, "Does...