Unity And Diversity: Church Together

[[jas]]

Hey everyone

I just thought I'd let you guys know about something we do once a year in our amesome city of Perth, Western Australia...

We have an event called Church Together, where one Sunday night every year, church services right across Perth are cancelled, and everyone heads to one massive service (over 20,000 people). Churches from all denominatations are involved, even catholics.

I think it's really good for us to come together and focus on the big things that unite us like our relationship with God rather than the little things that cause division.

Anyway I just thought you guys might be interested to hear about stuff like this that's going on where ALL christians can come together and get involved regardless of denomination.

Church Together 2003 website: http://www.churchtogether.com/ if you want to know more

Interested to hear your thoughts...

[JP2Iloveyou]

It sounds like a neat idea, but I don't like the idea of canceling Mass. You see, as Catholics, we have a different interpretation of the Commandment to Keep Holy the Sabbath. That means that Catholics MUST go to MASS on Sunday. This does not mean they cannot attend a service for another denomination, it just means that they have to go to Mass. So, as long as the Catholic Churches are offering Mass in addition to this service you speak of, it would be OK with me.

[Jake Huether]

the little things that cause division.

Sorry to be a nitpicker. I just can't say it engough. These aren't LITTLE things!

These "things" are the difference between heaven and hell for some.

Christ said, "unless you eat of the FLESH of the Son of Man (that's him), you have NO life in you".

Now interpret that anyway you want, but Catholics understand that to mean that "unless you eat the FLESH of the Son of Man (Jesus), you have NO life in you."

Not saying those that don't eat His Flesh are going to hell. There's another thread on invincible ignorance. But this isn't "little", this is HUGE.

[Dave]

Another question that could mean the difference between heaven and hell -- whether or not it's possible to lose our salvation. Many non-Catholics say it's impossible, whereas Catholics believe it's definitely possible. There's another not-so-little thing that divides us!

[BLAZEr]

I don't think the Bishop would allow mass to be cancelled. Note that the service is in the evening. Catholics would still be able to go to Mass in the morning and then go to the Ecumenical gathering in the evening. I think this is all a fine and good sentiment but whatever happened to worshiping the Lord in Spirit and in TRUTH.

I mean, it's clear that at this event some people do not hold to the truth. Whether you see it from the Catholic side or one of the other sides . . . I used to go to a "non-denomitional" bible study and Praise and Worship service that was held on campus at Notre Dame called Iron Sharpens Iron . . . but really, it was just "Catholics please shut up and only talk about God and Jesus when your ideas won't cause us to get all angry." Now, many of those people were good friends, but it drove them crazy when I said something radical like : Rock in Aramaic is Kepha or pointed out that 2 Thessalonians 2:15 says that we have to hold fast to the Traditions taught by WORD and LETTER. i.e. apostolic teaching and scripture, and especially 1 Timothy 3:15 which clearly says that the Church is the "Pillar and Founation of Truth" not the scriptures . . .

I mean, how do we come together without coming apart?

[[jas]]

Yeah most churches still have a Sunday morning meeting and then do this at night.

I was more wondering what you guys thought of this expression of unity.

From the web site for this year's Church Together:

Welcome to the offical Church Together website

Stand Together at the Burswood Dome on the 23 March 2003

Church Together is the annual summer event for the Churches of Perth. It's a time of united worship, inspiration and an investment of hope for the future of the local church in this great city and vast state.

It's a time of united worship, inspiration from our guest speaker, and an investment of hope for the future of the local church in this majestic city and vast state.

Church together declares the truth that 'no one Christian church should stand alone' and the churches of this state can make the statement:'together we will see His Kingdom come to our City of Perth and our State of Western Australia'.

The praise and worship at Church Together has always been a highlight of the event. Not just because of the excellence in music from a group of musicians, singers and worship leaders made up from different local churches. But because where people gather together in unity, to lift-up the name of Jesus, the Bible says God commands a great blessing. Join the thousands of people as we express our love for Christ and create an atmosphere of celebration, adoration and genuine thanksgiving for what the creator of the universe has done in our lives.

Diversity is a good thing...There is no need for the churches in Perth to all look, sound or act the same. The many churches in Perth are different in their denominations, styles and emphasis. Whilst diversity is good there also needs to be unity…unity on the majors…unity about the mission of The Church and our mandate to love one another.

This is why Church Together is held. By coming together we are declaring to all that we are One Church, The Church in this great city. We are also emphasising that in order to reach this city it is going to require all the different kinds of churches, denominations, styles and emphasis, and that God's hand is not upon a select few but upon the thousands of Christ-followers who are spread throughout our city and state in all kinds of local churches.

Don't Stand Alone - Stand Together - Church Together

[[jas]]

bump

[Damien]

Hey everyone

I just thought I'd let you guys know about something we do once a year in our amesome  city of Perth, Western Australia...

We have an event called Church Together, where one Sunday night every year, church services right across Perth are cancelled, and everyone heads to one MASSive service (over 20,000 people). Churches from all denominatations are involved, even catholics.

I think it's really good for us to come together and focus on the big things that unite us like our relationship with God rather than the little things that cause division.

Anyway I just thought you guys might be interested to hear about stuff like this that's going on where ALL christians can come together and get involved regardless of denomination.

Church Together 2003 website: http://www.churchtogether.com/ if you want to know more

Interested to hear your thoughts...

I like how you used that word...Mass meaning masses or massive...

:blink: