Beautiful country.
Beautiful people.

ASP (http://asphome.org/)is a organization that ministers to housing needs of the people of Appalachia. It is a largely United Methodist Organization, but we went (and were very warmly welcomed) as non-denominationalists. We met Baptists and Catholics and other denominations there. We were unified for one cause: to be Christ’s hands and feet to those around us.

I thoroughly enjoyed this post. It brought back warm memories of our time in KY. (I’m from PA, by the way.)

Some things that divide should not.

Thanks, brother.
Nathanael

I agree with your observations. In bouncing around the country, I’ve noticed that the Catholic parishes that are easier for a newcomer to find a place and acquantices (sp), tend to be less strict in both theology and liturgy. And unfortunately, the reverse is true. And I like both good liturgy and sound theology.

The issue raised by both Michael and Ken is whether the right focus is determined by what the largest denominations focus upon. Paul also answers that by also referring to the last days. “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires,” 2 Timothy 4:3.

Think he’ll even wind up with that many?

According to the old Guinness Book of World Records, there are a lot of denominations with only one member. So many the book couldn’t give a record for “World’s Smallest”.

One reason is these guys believe quite strongly that they have a “last days” ministry of removing barriers in the body of Christ and showing visible unity to the community. They believe this is an IMPORTANT work of the Holy Spirit, and they organize and pray toward that end.

Bill: You remind me why I’m not a Calvinist. Keep up the good work, and soon you and the small group that agrees with you on everything will be able to meet around the kitchen table.

But for my 6 years in Appalachia (West Virginia), no one led, did, or supported local church co-operative work like Pentecostals. No one. Mainly AG or lossely affilliated split-offs from a larger AG church charismatic churches and their leaders. It wasn’t AG leadership or ethos as far as i ever saw, but their pastors and deacons were passionate about building up the Body of Christ on a local/regional level, and they’d work with Unitarians if they came to meeting and didn’t mind holding hands during prayers packed tight with the words “Jesus” and “Lord, we just…”

Now, state councils of churches and legislative lobbying and petitions about federal policies and organic union talks . . . they’d smile and look at you puzzled: “Well, brother, if that’s where the Lord leads you!” But if it was to organize a food pantry, hammer up studs for a Habitat house, break 500 for a CROP Walk, put on Fifth Quarter programs for teens, or paint the assisted workshop warehouse, give me Pentecostals; if we’re gonna pray for the protection and guidance of a community, almost no one else knows how.

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

I don’t see anything in the article about seeker services or ecumenical efforts – I just see churches whose members are doing their best to live by the commandment quoted above. I’m sure that in reality it’s not perfection by any means – but it certainly looks a lot more like Christianity in action than what goes on where I live.

I’m not a regular commenter but do read here often.

Your post brought back many wonderful memories Michael of my youth in Knox County KY, family and friends there, many of them gone now, Church ‘meetings’ and the preacher sitting around our supper table on many Sunday afternoons.

You made me realize how much I miss the simplicity of it all.