Diversity - one in Spirit?

If you ever want to go down a deep rabbit hole, do a Google search for the question, “How many Christian denominations are there?” You will find pages of references for that question. Conservative estimates state there are over 200 denominations in the U.S. alone. If you expand the question to how many denominations are there world-wide, Gordon Conwell University and the Pew Research Center claim the number is 45,000 denominations. Again, a Google search will reveal conflicting numbers for that question. Division can be seen in my Presbyterian “tribe.” There are at least four different Presbyterian denominations the United States. There are divisions even within our denominations. With so many different denominations, each with their own polity, sub-divisions and theologies, the question could be asked, “Are we one in the Spirit?”

This Sunday we have the opportunity to demonstrate that though we may come from many different cultures and denominations; even in our diversity there are areas of unity. Since 1940 the first Sunday in October has been designated World Wide Communion Sunday. It is one Sunday where the Church Universal is invited to unite and share the body of Christ broken and his blood poured out for the forgiveness of our sins.

The start of this tradition is traced to a Rev. Dr. Hugh Thompson Kerr, who was the pastor of Shadyside Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. In 1933 he first proposed a day where churches around the world would celebrate Communion as a sign of our unity in Christ. The idea gained momentum in 1940 when the Department of Evangelism of the Federal Council (a precursor to the National Council of Churches) encouraged all congregation to participate in this event. While there are many different denominations of Christ’s church, by joining with other churches around the world in celebrating Communion, or as some call it the Eucharist, we can all come together and share our commonality with our brothers and sisters in Christ, where ever they be and regardless of their denominational affiliations. As the famous hymn declares, “The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.” In having a single day where the different parts of the body of Christ come together at the Lord’s table, we can demonstrate our unity.

On a personal note, this Sunday’s World-Wide Communion Sunday is the last Sunday that I will be leading worship in Saratoga. Back in August I received a call to a church in Wilbur Washington. Wilbur is about an hour west of Spokane and is in the middle of the wheat farms. In some ways the Wilbur Community Church demonstrates unity among the denominations is possible. The church is the result of a merger about five years ago of what was the local Presbyterian Church and the Lutheran Church of that community.

Back on November 1, 2015 I stepped into the pulpit at First Presbyterian Church, Saratoga as the newly called pastor of the church. The past eight years have been filled with good memories. I have enjoyed living in a small community (except when WYDOT shuts down Interstate 80). I have enjoyed getting to know many people in the community and am particularly thankful to have worked with the other pastors who participate in the Platte Valley Ministerial Alliance. The ecumenical Thanksgiving Services and the Baccalaureate services (sponsored by the PVMA), like World-Wide Communion Sunday, are great reminders of how even though we all belong to different denominations, and have different polity issues, we are united in our desire to serve our risen savior.