Pastor

Roger Powell of Fayetteville Church of God used the

Lutheran litany at his church and said his people were

totally blessed. Imagine that!

The very

first time I saw the Kiss of Peace was in a Catholic

Church during college days. Now, we Baptists do the same

but call it a Time of Fellowship during which we greet

one another with a healthy handshake, holy hug, or a

kindly kiss. Imagine that, Baptists learning from

Catholics.

Pastor John

Avant of New Hope Baptist Church told of a recent visit

to an Assembly of God church in Brooklyn. He took

instruction and encouragement from their weekly prayer

meeting. Imagine that, a Baptist learning from

Pentecostals.

Each of us

has something to offer all of us. But we can't learn if

we don't leave the comfort zone of our own four walls. We

must venture into the services and activities of other

denominations. That is the beginnings of unity. Unity is

not about becoming one big church in which everyone does

the same thing and behave in the same way. Unity is about

accepting our differences without excommunication and

appreciating each one's distinctives - perhaps

appropriating some for use.

I pray we

are on the pathway to genuine unity in the south metro

area. Pastor, if you and your church are not on board,

let me encourage you to break out of your four walls (of

your church and denomination) and embrace the rest of us.

We need all churches involved.

The Rev. Dr. John

Hatcher is pastor of River's Edge Community Church in

Fayetteville.

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