The church is busy, constantly touching the community and consistently committed to marketing what we have to offer. We believe the love of Jesus and the fellowship of His followers that is experienced by all who frequent our fellowship should characterize every church. Jesus himself said, "A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34,35). That love for Him should be the experience of anyone and everyone who embraces the ministry on any level. That love for Him should transcend all of our presuppositions about what the church should be. It should demolish any argument about who should or should not be a part of our church. That s the thing that puzzles me about the church at large today. Why are we so separated? Why are we divided? Why have we allowed denomination to be placed at the forefront of significance? Why has race or ethnicity served as a characteristic of why we are a part of a certain gathering of believers? Why has socio-economic status become a determinant in the question of who our church should reach? Why is the church unprepared to meet the needs of some who would love to be a part of the fellowship? The church of the Lord Jesus Christ in our nation should be recognized by the same characteristics as that of the early church in the Book of Acts. This living organism called the church should be known for its perpetual growth. In "All Dressed Up and No Place to Go", Wallace Phillips, Pastor of Carpenter's Shop Church and author of the popular book "Just Plain Vanilla", addresses many issues that have caused division in the church and provides practical advice to bringing unity to the local church fellowship. This is a MUST READ for any pastor.
