Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Peter," and "I of Christ." Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

Towards Doctrine not Dogma

Church is Church. Church has many definitions but perhaps the explanation that unifies varying denominations is that church is the Body of Christ.

Whilst all varying denominational churches will differ to some degree, there are a number of aspects that are common to almost all of us. What is important are a couple of “Golden Rules”.

These Golden Rules are the Core Beliefs of the Christian faith. Stripping away all of the “church speak” and assessing the Statement of Faith that most Churches share we will find in one format or another the only relevant doctrine to be accepted as a member of the “Christian Family”

We believe that God, the author of the Bible, is the creator of the world and Universe. He is all powerful and ever present. He illustrated his ultimate love for his created peoples by becoming totally man in the form of Jesus, dying and coming back to life to personally demonstrate His Almighty Deity over everything and everyone. Good and evil. We believe that the race is not yet over. (See Appendix 1)

We believe that the Bible alone is the source of doctrinal authority. From this, a number of similar doctrinal points can be found across most denominational churches.

Individual churches of course may differ in terms of how literally they interpret various texts of the Bible, but at the end of the day all that really matters is that we all can say of Jesus, “MY Lord and My God”.

Outside of doctrinal areas, our churches are generally more accepting of people from various religious backgrounds and political views. Services are occasionally modeled after those of another denomination, but are also usually tailored to the preferences of the congregation, and can change drastically even from week to week.

However, as the opening statement proclaims, Church is Church. Being a professing Christian means that one “belongs to Christ” not the denominations sculptured or painted in His name. The shape, smell and flavour of the numerous denominations is ultimately like art a matter of taste.

Thankfully there is no such thing as “one size fits all” and the diversities of churches allows for the Word and the Gospel to reach many audiences. As churches we need to ask ourselves questions that outside the obvious of serving God through Christ;

As Christian believers we need to serve like minded people through Worshipful Fellowship, Prayer and Ministry, this is supportive and edifying to those who profess themselves Christian.

There are an increasing number of people however, who although they would categorize themselves as “Christian” whilst filling out a census form or ticking the box in a hospital audit prior to an operation are in effect only professing by historical links to their family background or schooling. These people could by no stretch of the imagination be truly be termed people of faith.

On the 30^th November 2005in his inaugural speech (See Appendix 2) the new Archbishop of York, John Sentamu said :

“And when the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost, we were on fire with the conviction that through this man Jesus we had become literally sons and daughters of God.

We were pioneers of a new humanity, founders of a new Kingdom.

A Kingdom of forgiven sinners: forgiven for our past sins, given new life in the present and hope for the future. We were committed to each other regardless of our ethnic background, gender and material possessions. Every day we were filled with passion and gratitude, unable to get over the sheer prodigality of the grace of God.”

He then posed the question;

WHO IS JESUS AND WHAT DOES HE MEAN FOR THOSE WHO PUT THEIR TRUST IN HIM?

“That, for me, is the critical question of our time”.

Victor Hugo said that, “There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world: and that is, an idea whose time has come”.

Corporate-discipleship: fraternal-belonging was Jesus big idea, and plan for the renewal of society; a catalyst and engine for building God’s Kingdom.

His idea, which has lasted over the centuries, was simply this: a mixed community of sinners called to be saints, a divine society where the risen Christ in the midst of it is grace and truth, and the Holy Spirit is at work within it.

An inclusive and generous friendship, where each person is affirmed as of infinite worth, dignity and influence. A community of love, overflowing in gratitude and wholehearted surrender, because it participates in the life of God.

“This corporate-discipleship, we call the Church, worships God and infects the world with righteousness”.

Hopefully this is the Ecumenical and Evangelical brief to which all Christian believers can adhere to.