It was during a great meeting (3-day revival) that a Mennonite minister – Martin Boehm – preached about how the Lord saved him.
It came about one day, as he was plowing his field. He realized he was lost and prayed for salvation. After this, he was a changed person, and preached with assurance and power.
At the great meeting, there was a German Reformed minister present , William Otterbein. After the service he came forward, embraced Bohem and said, “We are brothers.”
Because of his participation in revivals and willingness to cooperate with other Christians, Bohem’s church excluded him from fellowship. This did not stop him from following God’s will. The two men would work together for many years proclaiming the Gospel and establishing the United Brethren in Christ.
There are so many problems in society today, it is overwhelming to even try to begin where we should start. One thing I know: it takes people – groups working together – to begin the process to solve some of society’s problems. We may not be able to agree on all things, but we can agree to work together for the betterment of everyone.
In 1626, Rurpertus Meldenius wrote a letter calling for contending parties within his church to make peace and work together for charity (Christian love). He is credited with writing the phrase, “In essentials unity, non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” This statement has become a motto for many groups, people and churches.
Not everyone shares the same beliefs on issues facing us. Not everyone will agree on what the problems are in society or how to tackle them. But the starting point is working together in unity to help others.
In the Gospel of Luke 11, after Jesus heals a man, his opponents slander him by accusing him of working for the ruler of demons.Jesus responded,, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household falls. If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?” Jesus added that the ‘Kingdom of God has come upon you.”
Aesop told a tale about a lion and four oxen. When the hungry lion attacked, the four oxen would put their backs to one another and the lion was met with horns. This worked against numerous attacks.
One day, the oxen quarreled and had a falling out. They separated and went off by themselves. When the lion came, he was able to pick them off, one-by-one. The moral of the story is: united we stand, divided we fall.
King David wrote, “How very good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity!” (Psalm 133).
This was more than a statement of fact, this was a prayer for his nation and family.
On Feb. 26, 2016, the Mennonite Church unanimously approved a resolution to “grant a remission of the censure of excommunication to Martin Boehm and a restoration of his bishop credential, emeritus.”
This did not undo the harm to Boehm, but undid the brokenness so his spiritual children could live in unity.
Eric Reece is the faith columnist for The Graham Star. He is pastor of Robbinsville United Methodist Church and can be reached via email, ereece@wnccumc.net.