Too often we decry the fractionalism of the church but neglect a simple act as a clergy that could make our witness against the divisions. Wherever you are a pastor, look around your neighborhood and pick out a church of another denomination. Find out who the pastor is and invite him or her out to lunch.
You might make clear at the beginning that you don’t have a preset agenda but simply want to get better acquainted with another clergy person who works in the same community. Spend at least 60% of the time at your lunch listening to your clergy colleague but also be willing to share enough about yourself and your ministry that it is clear that you are not probing but simply sharing.
It will probably work best if you avoid initially those areas of theology that frequently seperate churches. Talk about the practical, functional areas of ministry and the normal stresses that are part of any clergy’s life. Once you have established some respect for each other, and if you both agree, it might be valuable to then enter those areas of theology. However, it should be with a mutual agreement that your purpose is not to convince the other but to better understand how each of you believe.
The overall purpose is to live out the central tenet of our shared faith that we love our neighbor and especially those called by God to labor in the vineyard. If you practice this aspect or the faith with several clergy in the community, my guess is that you will discover some shared expressions of ministry that will benefit the overall witness of the faith in your community. Everyone knows how to argue and fight. It is Good News when we demonstrate how we love one another in a way that transcends our differences.
