We believed our church to be the only true church.
We felt called to be different from the world.
We built walls to prevent unconverted people from entering and contaminating the church.
We focused on the peripheral differences between us and other churches.
We were judgmental toward other churches, and saw them as part of the enemy.
We warned people about physical dangers that would accompany the end of the age.
We offered people a way to physical safety.
We lived in uncertainty, not knowing whether we had qualified yet for the kingdom of God.
We prepared people for a future role as teachers in the future kingdom of God.
Our church is a part of the body of Jesus Christ.
We are also called to make a difference in the world.
We must build bridges to help us reach the unconverted, and to bring them to the church.
We must focus on the vital common ground that we share with other churches, and tolerate differences in peripheral areas.
We want to be cooperative with other churches, and work with them as brothers and sisters.
We need to warn people about the spiritual dangers that sin brings in the present.
We want to tell people about the way to spiritual safety.
We want people to know the safety and security that we have in Jesus Christ.
Our members also have a present role as teachers, doing the work of the kingdom of God today.
By Don Mears, regional pastor, Big Sandy
Jan. 21 Worldwide News, page 5
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