Half

Man, this place is dusty. . . looks like it hasn't been used in a minute. 

I want half. Right now there are just too many of them, duplicating and re-duplicating the work of others. A lot of times, they're doing it right across the street from each other.

Of course, I'm talking about churches.

I love (read: hate) when you come to an intersection in a town and as you sit there, there are 4 churches in eyesight. Probably 3 right there at that corner! How did we get so many churches crammed into such a small area?

Yes, yes, I know. It's because of disputes of theology, doctrine, blah blah blah. Look, I don't care. Get over it. Is the filoque really what's keeping you apart? Salvation at baptism or before it (or after)? If so, get over yourself. Sheese.

Here's why I want half the number of churches.

1. Unity. Showing the world that we're not a bunch of children arguing about where a comma should be placed, but a body of Christ followers devoted to loving and serving the world just like Jesus taught us and prayed for before he was hung on a cross. Are you a Methodist or a Christian? Are you a Catholic or a Christian? Are you stupid or are you a Christian? Get it?

2. Money. It makes the world go round (and some say the mo you have, the mo problems). What if two churches decided to join up and close the other facility. Bango bongo. You just got double the funds. That youth pastor you wanted to hire, congrats! You now have the money for it. Or maybe you wanted a small groups leader, or an outreach pastor, or any number of staff positions. You got it! But as it is now, you got First Church of the Lame trying to "win" more townsfolk than Second Church of the Lame. All the while they're destroying themselves from the inside.

3. Love. Love, baby. Lovey dovey. How will the world know we follow Christ, if we love each other. The Man said it himself. So why don't we do it?

So, I know I'm being sort of curt (not Russel). And I know I'm being way too naive about how much some doctrine matters. But a boy can dream, can't he? Maybe it won't ever happen. But as someone smarter than me once said, the journey is the destination.

Rev.