If you have read through the last few issues of The Lamplighter, you most certainly noticed the emphasis placed on the history and current life of our denomination, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Now I know that many will boldly proclaim that denominations do not matter. Well, if they focus on excluding people, multiplying their numbers by dividing people, and investing in irrelevance, perhaps they do not. However, imagine a denomination that only asks that its members accept Jesus Christ as Savior, while recognizing the authenticity of Christians and denominations beyond itself. Try to imagine a denomination that understands human diversity as an important gift of God and a sign of humanity’s strength. Go ahead and imagine a denomination where differences in opinion enhance its life rather than fracture it. Imagine a denomination that gives room for people to grow biblically, spiritually and theologically and to practice their faith in ways that promote and articulate Christ’s vision of love, peace, compassion, wholeness and justice. Well, imagine no longer. These descriptions and more are part of who we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We are not perfect and sometimes we do not do all of the above well. Even so, our blessed denomination is one that affords space for all. I hope you will take time to get to know our denomination, and participate in its life. There is space for you.
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