WAR TAKES TOLL ON CHRISTIAN UNITY
Pastor Steve Bilynskyj reports that at least one family has decided to leave his congregation because the church isn't taking the exact stand on the war that they'd like to see (anti-war). Steve has written a pastoral letter in response.

In our congregation, we're more likely to have the opposite problem. I occasionally catch flak because we're "not patriotic enough." We don't sing patriotic songs in worship. We don't parade the flag.

While patriotism is a good thing, it is not the church's mission to promote patriotism for any country. If anything our assignment is to be a "check" on patriotism -- to keep it from becoming an idol (Acts 4:19-20). There is almost a holy indifference in Jesus' ministry to the temporal governments. His eyes are set beyond the current political tensions. His answer to the political powers isn't to protest their abuses but to promote HIS kingdom. And one of the central values of his kingdom is the united fellowship of all his followers (e.g. John 17). In the long run that is going to speak more loudly and have more of an impact than anything else that we say or do.

Does this mean that we shouldn’t try to influence the direction of current affairs? No, not at all. Justice demands our participation. But we're not all going to agree on the best way to implement justice. So with our passion for justice and rightness we need to keep the issue of Christian unity on the front burner. For what do we gain if we manage to get our way but in the process lose the fellowship that is so fundamental to our unity with Christ himself?