In each Epistle, this column features a single question to which our pastors are asked to reply. It is usually connected to the issue’s theme and crafted to reveal the unique personalities and experiences of our beloved leaders.
“How do you see Christian unity reflected at First Church?”
Pastor June Barrow
Our unity is both horizontal and vertical. We learn that we come from many different places as we meet each other. Our hometowns, careers, church backgrounds, politics, and families vary greatly. We meet each other with respect and see each other with kind eyes. None of us knows the courage and character hidden in the stories of the people we sit next to. So kindness and respect must mark our horizontal unity.
For us, though, our vertical unity most deeply bonds us. Jesus as Savior and Lord—this is First Church’s heart, and when we unite around this, we share deep and eternal bonds as followers of Jesus. Recently, I read the mission statement of a very liberal church that described themselves as Jesus-mentored. That is not us! Jesus is not just our “mentor.” He is one with the Father, the Creator of all things. He offered himself in our place to bear the judgment we deserved and was raised to life again. He has secured our forgiveness, our right standing with God, our home in heaven, and loves us. This is the heart of the Christian faith, which unites us deeply as sisters and brothers in Christ.
Pastor Allen Walworth
Christian unity is not a call for, nor dependent upon, lockstep uniformity. The opposite is true. Unity within the body of Christ is a celebration of diversity, not just a toleration of it. At First Church, we cherish unity within diversity since Christians can differ in denominational background, nationality, race, age, gender, and political persuasion and still experience the beautiful unity of the Church. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “We are a body with many different organs, all of which are necessary for the body to function.” (author’s paraphrase)
Book recommendation | The Beautiful Community by Irwyn L. Ince. The author unpacks why our divisions often permeate our society and even threaten to infiltrate the Church. He gently guides us toward our true hope for wholeness and reconciliation in the triune God.
Pastor Brad Rogers
From my seat, I have the privilege of observing unity among the pastors and staff of First Church. The pastors are of one mind and heart. We champion one another and are each other’s strongest encouragers. The staff likewise serves together, each in their own areas, but all for God’s glory and the building up of the church. Beyond the staff, I have never seen a healthier community than First Church. Our members and friends come to our church from various denominational backgrounds, yet we find unity in Spirit through our fidelity to the biblical witness.
Pastor Steve Clark
Christian unity is reflected at First Church when we choose not to major in minors. I’ve been in faith communities where non-essentials became essentials, whether it be beliefs about baptism, specifics about science, or precise charts about the end times. I am grateful that this is a place where a variety of beliefs and backgrounds can come together around the true essentials, that Jesus Christ is Lord, that we come to God through grace, and that the Bible is God’s authoritative Word. I’ve always been a fan of one quote I’m sure will come up throughout this Epistle: “In essentials, clarity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Book recommendation | The Mark of the Christian by Francis Shaeffer. This little book can be read in one or two sittings but punches above its weight. Shaeffer reminds his readers of Christ’s words in John 13:35 (ESV), “By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” Shaeffer helps us see that Christian unity is absolutely critical for the Church’s health and its witness to the world. If we aren’t united, the world has no reason to think that we are Christ’s disciples or that God really sent Jesus.
Pastor Steven Grant
First Church is unique in many respects, not the least of which is that virtually every faith tradition seems to be represented within our members. People from various Protestant and Roman Catholic backgrounds have found a home at First Church. From my observation, people desire to be a part of our church life, not so much from denominational loyalty, but because we endeavor to be a Christ-centered church where the Word of God is faithfully
preached and taught, and our fellowship is loving and welcoming. We also offer a variety of opportunities to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, and the music is magnificent! Our common faith in Jesus Christ binds us together and transcends human denominational distinctions. Though we may have different preferences concerning some details, the Holy Spirit has formed a healthy and faithful faith community through our mutual love of God in
Jesus Christ.
Book recommendation | Charles Colson and his collaborator Ellen Vaughn published a book called Being the Body many years ago. It proved to be a very popular magnum opus for Christians who want to understand God’s call to be the Body of Christ in the world. Colson and vaughn do not mince words on the essential place the Church has in an individual’s Christian life and the public square. The key to the Church is to equip each of us as an instrument in God’s hands as the Holy Spirit shapes us into the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. What binds us together is our common proclamation, “Jesus is Lord!” This book is a compelling read that should be in every church’s library and read by every member.
Another Perspective
“How is Christian unity reflected at First Church?”
Ed Gonzalez, Office Manager
When I first connected with the pastors, staff, and elders of First Church, I was impressed by how they focused more on the Kingdom of God than just their denomination. They even helped my non-denominational congregation when we didn’t have a place to meet. Pastor Doug started a monthly inter-denominational pastors’ lunch and prayer meeting that continues today. This group has come together to host several National Day of Prayer breakfasts to pray for and honor the City of Bonita Springs council members, teachers, and first responders. Clearly, if you’re a Bible-believing Christian, you’re part of the family at First Church.
