One Flavor?

I love ice cream...all kinds. Vanilla has its place but I have to explore the variations and expressions of ice cream. Chocolate Chip, Pralines and Cream and the amazing classic, Rocky Road.

Even though a relatively small amount of vanilla ice cream is served it is universally the best selling flavor. Apparently there are a lot of people interested in basic ice cream. But a lot more people are interested in variety.

I believe that the Christian faith has one basic flavor...Jesus. There are a lot of expressions of that basic faith and together they make up the church.

Ephesians 4:4-6 (NIV) There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I didn't find Jesus in a "vanilla" church. Maybe it was a "rocky road" church. Later I ended up in a military chapel and God placed me in leadership as the parish council president. The church was composed of Lutherans, Pentecostals, Baptists, Methodists, Episcopalians, etc. We had at least 31 flavors. What I learned back then was important and formative.

I have throughout the years met a lot of sweet people and a few nuts. I value the variety of expression in the church. When you get all of these flavors at the same table we can get to know Jesus more completely. Together we can reach our world better than we can apart. We are the body of Christ.

Why am I rambling on about this? First, I am aware that there are vanilla lovers who are critical of the non-vanilla flavors. There are non-vanilla flavors critical of vanilla lovers. If the basic flavor is Jesus, a biblically true Jesus, then what are we arguing about? Second, there are people moving from church to church looking for something. I believe what we're so often looking for may already be right in front of us but we miss it because we're distracted by the flavors. Third, our community needs the full expression of God, not just one flavor or another. Fourth, when we promote our flavor in the wrong way we affect the entire church adversely.

Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Together, those who come to Christ are the church....and it's a sweet thing!!!!