In years past,

it was a rather common practice to find one spouse worshipping Sunday

morning at the Baptist church while the other spouse was found at the

Methodist church. Usually, however, they attended the same restaurant

afterwards. No one thought it heresy and apparently marriages did not

seem to suffer the worse because of attending different watering holes

though the water ran more freely at the Baptist church.

One of my first

pre-marriage counseling sessions involved a Baptist young man and Methodist

young lady. They were bright, good looking, and soon to graduate from

Auburn University (only thing questionable). In counseling, I asked them

how much of an issue was the difference in denomination. They responded

inconsequential. Long story short, the problem revolving around where

to worship became only one of their many problems all of which led to

a divorce after the birth of a child.

Now, first

thing first. Is it a sin for one spouse to worship at one church while

another worships at another church? No! It may be inconvenient, but not

sinful. It would be detrimental if they were worshipping two different

gods, i.e., Allah and Jesus Christ, money and Jesus Christ, Buddha and

Jehovah Witnesses, et. al. Last time I checked, however, the Baptists

and the Methodists served the same God revealed in Jesus Christ as manifested

in the Holy Bible.

Second, how

about marriages involving Catholics and Protestants. There again, the

last time I checked, both Protestants like a Baptist and Catholics confess

Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and that one goes to heaven by the saving

grace of Jesus Christ. If you doubt my understanding of Catholicism, please

make friends with a priest and ask him.

Third, I believe

that the real deal glue that holds together a Protestant/Catholic marriage

is spiritual maturity on the part of one or both. "Spiritual maturity,"

in this regard, embraces the ability to hold onto your own convictions,

but also appreciates differences expressed by the convictions and insights

of others (regardless how enlightened you evaluate them).

More than two

years ago, the director of the Griffin/Spalding School System's Science

Center, Ann Nunan, began an investigation into Christianity at the encouragement

of her husband, a dedicated, long-term Catholic. She turned into our church's

drive and found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Her husband,

Brent, a retired educator, was thrilled that his wife of nearly three

decades finally had found the Lord.

Is there proselyting

going on in the Nunan home? No! Why? Because Ann and Brent respect each

other's faith and its unique expressions, but very settled on the fact

that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of their home.

A step further.

Ann and Brent wanted their ministers to get together each other on this

side of heaven. So, the Nunans hosted Father Pedro de Oliveira, parochial

vicar of Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, my wife, Mary

Ann, and me for a delightful dinner.

Fears, skepticisms,

criticisms, cynicisms, ignorisms, and many other "isms" seem

to be pushed off to the side as we sit down and break bread with one another.

Pedro is one of the nicest men of the cloth I have ever met. I would covet

a friendship with this brother.

Many of you

have friends, family members, and neighbors who harbor other faith systems.

Let me suggest that you break bread with them. You will discover what

you have been missing just because of a little difference.

The Rev.

Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of

River's Edge Community Church

1091 South Jeff Davis Drive

Fayetteville, Georgia 30215

770-719-0303

Back

to the Top of the Page