Community

The group of believers that meets at our house on Wednesday nights is experiencing community. Not because everyone agrees on the same thing, or has a similar perspective, but because there is a strong love and appreciation for the other. This is a stretch for us because in the past we have mostly agreed on spiritual things. Consensus would be reached and unity of thought would prevail. However, last night, in our discussion about prayer, there were several tightly held opposing views and consensus was not reached. Yet, it was beautiful. Diversity not division. The love and acceptance was real. Jesus is still our leader.

I wonder if this is the type of setting the early church was in when heresy began to creep in? Or maybe less severe, when they experienced splits and riffs, and the resulting separation into denominations.

Could opposing views (provided they are biblical) remain together in a thriving loving community?

I'm starting to think they can.