Last week I attended some meetings that a missionary friend here in Nakuru was conducting. He had some friends from the U.K speaking at the meeting, and since I consider them my friends as well I attended. (Typically I avoid Charismatic/Pentecostal flavored meetings, which is what these meetings were.)
The visitors spoke on several topics, but one that was of particular interest to me was unity. Specifically unity amongst followers of Jesus. It was a timely message for us here in Nakuru.
Here in Nakuru the church is fractured. We have the normal divisions of denomination, doctrine, and style. However, our bigger divide is over ethnicity.
You chose where to attend meetings based on what tribe you come from. Leaders are picked not because it is evident that God has blessed them with something for the Body, but instead on their names. If your name is from my tribe, then you are chosen. Negative stereotypes abound amongst the body of Christ.
Put aside all the resources wasted on the pursuit of religion, and just think what could be done if we unified. We could change Nakuru overnight. The hungry would be fed. The sick cared for. The dead buried. The engaged married. The lonely embraced.
According to the visitors from the U.K. we had some sort of breakthrough during the meeting. I think they felt this was true primarily due to prayer, or something resembling prayer. Unfortunately I just can’t see it.
The preacher declared that those of us sitting in the meeting hall were unified. I didn’t even feel together with the others in that room. We have a long ways to go, and we need more than just prayers.
We need sacrifice.
Johnny Brooks
