Strongholds

have us so separated that we cannot even begin to understand, much less

appreciate one another. I use the word, strongholds, for its Biblical

nature. In a more contemporary sense we may refer to them as walls that

divide us.

A small, but

dedicated group of diverse churches have decided to come together to host

"Pulling Down Strongholds Conference 2001," May 4-7, nightly

at 7 p.m. Because our church has a heart for unity, we will be serving

as host for the conference, but in no way will the conference be a "River's

Edge" thing.

In prayer and

preparation, we have identified four walls or strongholds that seem to

have a demonic grip on our community: racism, denominationalism, worship

style differences, and gender. Our goal is to plant seeds of reconciliation

and unconditional love in our community and to facilitate commitments

to bring down strongholds in individual lives. The theme for the conference

has been lifted from 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5, "For though we walk in

the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our

warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the pulling down

of strongholds. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised

up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive

to the obedience of Christ." The Apostle Paul, in giving God's mind

on the matter of strongholds, immediately contends that most Christians

tend to look at things outwardly. So true.

We see the

color of skin rather than the content of character (as MLK put it). I've

discovered that Black people can be wonderful friends whom you want to

come home for dinner and befriend your children. They can add a lot of

personality and talent to our white churches. But, the stronghold of racism

has got us all by the throat. I mean, what would my friends think and

what would my dead grandfather think!

We see the

labels of denominations as strongholds with their obvious contentions

that we have "it" right and they don't. A friend recently told

me that many folks think I am too ecumenical. Well, it's a bold face lie

and it's the bold truth. Just because I ask the Catholic priest to bless

me (because he can't serve me the Eucharist), doesn't mean I believe in

the perpetual virginity of Mary or that I believe I can ask Mary to intercede

for me.

Just because

I truly enjoy the exuberance of the Pentecostals doesn't mean that I prophesy

in tongues. Just because I am white doesn't mean I can't say "amen"

to a Black preacher.

Just because

I am male doesn't mean that God cannot use and does use women even to

preach and evangelize.

What so many

folks have not got a hold of yet is that we bring our differences captive

to Christ and hear him say to our diverse selves, "Love one another

and prove to be my disciples." So, if you don't want to forsake your

differences, but you want to build bridges and pull down walls of distrust,

why not put it on your calendar to join us May 4-7, 7 p.m. You might discover

some new friends and forsake some old foes.

(Other participating

churches, in addition to River's Edge (a Southern Baptist church), are

Edgefield Baptist Church, Abundant Life Church of God, Glory to God Bible

Church, and New Covenant Metropolitan Church. If your church would like

to participate, call 770 719-0303 and ask for conference information).

The Rev. Dr. John Hatcher is pastor

of River's Edge Community Church in Fayetteville.

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