Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: gross@dg-rtp.dg.com (Gene Gross) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Something to think about. Message-ID: Date: 6 Aug 90 02:01:55 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Data General Corporation, Research Triangle Park, NC Lines: 44 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In late 1973, I got involved with a street ministry. I was licensed to preach and teach. But this is not about me. It is about something that happened back then that I want to share. My co-minister and I started a small Bible study and prayer meeting in his in-laws' house. They had the room and were agreeable. We invited the staff and some of the kids that wanted to learn more about the Bible and Jesus Christ. We started off with about 6 people or so. Within a month we had some 30 people attending. They came from almost every denomination. The group finally grew to the point that we had to start more sessions on different nights of the week. I found it interesting that the denominational arguments that often crop up when Christians of different denominations get together did not come up during these sessions. We drew together around Christ. I don't think that people came because my co-minister and I are such great teachers. I have thought about this for many years now. I think that what drew folks together was Christ. Consider some of the denominations represented: Southern Baptists, Independent Fundamentalist Baptists, Episcopalians, Methodists, Church of Christ, Nazarenes, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, and many more. Can you imagine such folks coming together without at least once arguing over some point of doctrine. Frankly, had I not seen it with my own eyes I would not have believed it possible. For a number of reasons, this ended and folks went as the Lord lead them. Every now and then I bump into one of those folks who attended, and we wonder about that period of time. We long for a return of that time. My question to those of you reading this is why don't we see more of this? Grace and Peace, Gene Gross [Particularly in this group, eh? I am frankly upset that our discussions all turn into the issues that separate various denominations. I don't object to this in principle. I've learned a lot about Catholics, LDS, etc. But I'd like to see room for other things. However so far the concensus seems to be that I should not attempt to guide things away from those discussions. --clh]