June, 2025

TWO CHURCHES, ONE GOD

On Sunday, May 4th, I did something I had never done before. In forty plus years of ministry, I have never been part of a combined Sunday morning worship service of two churches. But on that day, the congregations of Olive Branch Christian Church and Oak Grove Baptist Church worshipped together in one great and glorious hour of praises to the God who made us all. Rev. Keller preached, Deacon Tabb played, the Oak Grove Choir sang, and together we gave witness to Jesus’ prayer in John’s gospel, “That they may all be one”.

Ecumenism is part of our Disciples of Christ DNA. During the Second Great Awakening of America’s religious history, a minister by the name of Barton Stone was serving the Presbyterian Church in Cane Ridge, Kentucky. A week-long revival was held in 1801 centered around this church, with somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 people attending the revival at some point during the week. Different clergy would preach, including Presbyterians, Methodists, and Baptists. On the final Sunday of the revival, communion was celebrated. Not once was a person’s denominational affiliation questioned. All were welcomed.

Barton Stone would go on to be one of the founding leaders of the Disciple Church. He believed that Jesus desired unity among his followers. One of Stone’s most famous quotes is, “Let unity be our polar star”. He thought it should be the guiding light of the Christian Church. Our greeting to every person who walks through the doors of Olive Branch should be, “Welcome! Welcome to this place! All are welcomed here!”

I think Jesus might have been pleased at our Sunday worship with Oak Grove. I know I was.

Blessings ~ Pastor Richard
June, 2025