Unity and Diversity

The understanding and interface of these two concepts vary widely across Christianity.  For example, unity in the Roman Communion must be "organic," that is, based on absolute obedience to the Pope.   The papal office developed in history from that of Bishop of Rome to Vicar of Peter (one who rules in the Petrine location) and finally to Vicar of Christ (one who rules in Christ's place on earth.) When one so surrenders to this arrogation, it is possible to receive Communion in a Roman Catholic venue.

Many evangelical churches seem to have unity in the congregational pastor.  The teachings of their church will be the opinions of the central personality of the community, and members are expected to believe and do as he says. Not infrequently this"holy opinion-maker is himself uneducated; the old saw "God doesn't call the qualified, he qualifies the called" is used as an excuse for the lack of real preparation for professional ministry.  That is serious, because messing with peoples' souls is serious business.

In Anglicanism, we find unity in the baptismal covenant, which makes us brothers and sisters in a spiritual family (we admit all baptised to Communion), and in the apostolic succession of bishops, as each congregation is under the stewardship of a diocesan bishop who, as a successor to the Apostles, serves with authority and protects the faithful people in his care.  One sees this in action when there is a troubled congregation.  The bishop intervenes to preserve the integrity and heal the discord, so that the congregation may move forward again.   By comparison, protestant churches frequently split like amoebae into new congregations centred round some element of dispute, often disaffection from a particular personality in the leadership.

Diversity is a great strength in our Episcopal congregations.  We take seriously Jesus' counsel not to judge others.  So we accept persons without regard to race or ethnicity,age or social status, colour, gender, or sexual orientation.  And we prepare and admit people for all levels of ministry within the Church without bias.  Over the years I have welcomed, and been blessed by, persons who had been judged and excluded from other Christian affiliations because of who they were.  Often bad biblical exegesis, poor theology, and scientific ignorance, were working together in a system closed to new knowledge and information, which led  to the rejection of good people.  We try to be faithful to the example of Jesus who reached out to all, especially to outcasts not good enough to pass muster with the religious professionals of his time.  The gift of diversity also serves to build understanding and tolerance in a world where fear fuels ignorance which in turn feeds hatred and, finally, violence.  In our tradition, we practice the gospel of peace and leave judgement to the One who alone can judge without error.