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Previously I suggested the formula 'Mission and Unity' is incomplete and we need to add a third leg, formation. On deeper analysis I suggest 'Mission and Formation' would be a better pairing, as both are essential.
Unity is harder to place with the other two. One reason for this is the experience of many churches, who find they do not need unity for mission. It could be argued the Roman Catholic Church, is huge and so clearly able to support 1.2 billion believers' needs. It doesn't need unity with other traditions for its success. Similarly, Protestant churches tend to grow by splitting. They are re-energised by splitting!
I remember as a child watching Thunderbirds. International Rescue had five vehicles. Thunderbird One was the frontline vehicle, which got there first and delivered immediate support and appraised the situation. Thunderbird Two was much bigger and slower. It followed on to supply necessary equipment. I was always disappointed Thunderbird Four, the submarine, was carried by Thunderbird Two alongside several other machines which for some reason didn't count as Thunderbirds! Of the five Thunderbirds, it is the only one not on the poster!
Similarly, unity is important but integral to formation. Outside formation, what role does unity have? Mission is possible without formation, perhaps disastrously but it is possible to perform a sort of hit and run evangelism (arguably this is worse than not doing it at all). Unity is a step in our formation as Christians; essential but subsidiary.
Initially a convert is formed in a single tradition. A brief exploration of Christian blogs will lead to encounters with writers who claim their tradition is the only true church. Some of these are Protestant, others Catholic or Orthodox. A non-Christian encountering these competing absolute claims would face a dilemma. How do I choose between competing absolute truth claims?
Usually converts are touched by a single tradition and formed by that tradition. To encounter the fullness of the diversity of the Christian faith with many competing truth claims, is a step in formation. The immature might erect fences and bolster their truth claims but sooner or later the reality is undeniable.
At the point where a tradition encounters and embraces other traditions, their formation and mission will be transformed. It is at this point they encounter the reality of God's love in all its depth and breadth.
For Methodists, this is part of their commitment to sanctification. It is commonly believed Arminianism is inclusive, opens the church to all comers of every tradition. In fact, Arminianism is more complex. It is initially exclusive. It invites those who wish to make a commitment to be a part of a church or class and put down roots. As roots into the tradition deepen, then the walls come down as the people sanctified have the confidence to embrace the other.
There is a single virtue that helps them to do this and my next post will describe it.
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