Barrier Beater
Theme of the Week: A Diverse Communion
Philip Ryken
Sunday, June 6, 2004
 1 of 1
Who Said It
Philip Ryken
Philip Ryken is senior minister of Tenth Presbyterian Church in downtown Philadelphia. (He succeeds noted preachers Donald Grey Barnhouse and James Montgomery Boice.) When not preaching or playing with his young family, Philip likes to shoot baskets, read Patrick O'Brian novels, and ponder the relationship between Christian faith and American culture. His recent book, City on a Hill (Moody, 2003), is subtitled "reclaiming the biblical pattern for the church in the twenty-first century." What He Said
The 2000 U.S. Census revealed that although our country is becoming more ethnically diverse, our communities remain as segregated as ever. But the church is called to be completely different.
One of my greatest joys as a minister comes when we welcome new members into our fellowship. They're introduced, their testimonies are read, and they line up at the front of the sanctuary to take their membership vows. It's not unusual for us to receive a wide variety of newcomers: young and old, married and single, black and white, Americans and internationals, able-bodied and disabled, rich and poor. One Sunday as I surveyed the new members, I leaned over to a colleague and said, "You know, there's no other place in the world where this group of people would gather for a common purpose." The only thing that can explain this kind of unity is the gracious work of God's Spirit, who makes us one in the body of Christ.
Adapted from City on a Hill (Moody, 2003) by permission.
Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click
for reprint information.
1 of 1
 share this page
As Head of the Church, O Christ, give me a love for Your Body that transcends personal preferences and cultural norms.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
RSS Feed
