Wednesday Wonder

Among the Disciples of Christ there have been many significant figures who contributed to the Ecumenical movement. Early in our movement the impulse toward Christian unity was strong, what many believe was the driving force. Among these, Thomas and Alexander Campbell and Barton Stone stand out. But there were many more of not only the first, but later generations.

 Names like Peter Ainslie III of the Christian Temple in Baltimore stand at the top of the list. 100 years ago, in 1910, this world ecumenist became the first President of the Council on Christian Unity. Among denominations this was distinctive; a body given solely to the seeking the unity of the whole church. In this Disciples stood out and continue to stand out. Other leaders were to follow, including the first full-time executive of the council, George Beazley.

And then there was Paul Crow, an academic and ecumenist who led the council for twenty-five years. I came to know Paul shortly after my ordination in 1980. As with many others he became a mentor, guiding me into ecumenical understanding and commitments, fostering my interest and participation in the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey, Switzerland. Through Paul I was pleased to represent Disciples at one of the Assemblies of the Church in Scotland in Edinburgh. And I served two terms on the Council on Christian Unity.

Last week we had a celebration of the centennial of the Council and at the same time honored Paul by making him a President Emeritus. Our current President of the Council, Robert Welsh, coordinated a wonderful time of tribute, and Disciples and ecumenical guests from across the country and world were in attendance. In that room sat other teachers of ecumenical life with whom I had cut my ecumenical teeth, people like the now General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, Michael Kinnamon; long-time Secretary of the World Council’s Faith and Order Commission, Tom Best; and Steve Cranford, who I first knew as my Regional Minister in Mid-America but who had previously served at Faith and Order and eventually served as the Executive of the Tulsa Council of Churches. There were peers and colleagues who have long served in the ecumenical vineyard such as Suzanne Webb, Millie Slack, Al Pennybacker, Jack Sullivan and Helen Enari.

Paul built his ecumenical work on relationships and it had far-flung impact. Kathy and I have pleasant memories of hosting Paul in our home in St. Louis and discussing all manner of life over hot chocolate.

No Disciple who has been a part of the Ecumenical movement has not had the experience of being somewhere with someone from another denomination, and had them say, “Oh, Disciples? Of course, Paul Crow.” I will never forget one time when I was in Durham, England, and had the opportunity to meet with the then controversial Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins. Upon introduction, the first thing he said to me was, “Oh, the Paul Crow people.”

At the conclusion of the evening, when Paul finally rose to share a few words he reminded us that our core identity as Disciples is wrapped up in the quest to live out the unity of the church. It is our vocation. And however we fail at fulfilling it, this central conviction still determines our identity and cutting edge purpose of our distinctive vocation within the Body of Christ. He also reminded us how our ecumenical life derives from a deep life of prayer and living in the Christ who is the source of that unity.

And so I end with a story from an iconic moment in our Disciples tradition, the great revival at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, in 1801. Our Heritage tour will visit that historic site this summer. There were many revivals and camp meetings of the time, but this one was different. A young Presbyterian pastor by the name of Barton Stone hosted a great revival at Cane Ridge and thousands poured into that place. Preaching and prayer went on for days. But here is the distinctive difference: This was also a communion festival with huge ecumenical repercussions. People from all denominations checked their creeds at the door, fellowshipping and learning together. And most importantly, all were invited to the Table of the Lord, regardless of denominational affiliation.

In 1832 the Stone side of the movement and the Campbell side came together to become one. As the Stone people preferred the simple, Christian, designation, and the Campbell people the equally simple, Disciples, they joined them together to be the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

Last year, 2009, we celebrated the bicentennial of Thomas Campbell’s Declaration and Address and here is a quote from it that set much of the Disciples DNA from early on:

“The church of Jesus Christ on earth is essentially, intentionally, and constitutionally one.”

So it was and so it is that Christian unity is our polar star.

“There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling.”

(Eph 4:4)

Thanks, Paul, for seeing it, loving it and sharing it. We’re still trying to receive the gift of unity that is ours in the One who has made us his own. The story goes on.