UNITED RELIGIONS
 
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This agency, United Religions, is the latest emerging attempt to pull all religions together and this research pulls the picture together to some extent. United Religions is an offspring of the New York Interfaith Agency.

 What is most disturbing but not surprising is that you are dealing with a theosophical society. The theosophical mentality is based on mystical insight following Buddhism and Brahmanic theories, pantheistic evolution and reincarnation. Mormons, Judaism, Islam and Communists have committed to this effort because it fits their agenda. Mormon doctrine is based on evolution. Judaism does not accept Christianity.

Christianity is described as: Origins and Beliefs by The Rev. Thomas A. Baima, S.T.L. Catholic Priest, Director of the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Trustee of The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions. The promise to be able to maintain is built in. Islam wants to survive believing what they believe and Communism [headed by Paul Crouch, who called Jesus Christ and His whole philosophy a form of Communism, Nelson Mandella, Mikhail Gorbachev and the Pope] would have to be accepted by all as a respectable form of government.

 

 

 

Their goal is to transfer the wealth of rich countries such as the United States to third world countries such as Africa and Asia. There is now emphasis also on the poverty in the United States. Evangelicals for Social Action gears into poverty in the US which has resulted in the present political agenda with plans of moving billions of dollars into faith-based organizations to serve social needs. This process has been in effect in Africa for some time sponsored by the World Council of Churches. They created a Fund from which churches can borrow up to $40,000 maximum to develop jobs, medical services, schools and fill social needs of the poor. The result was that the government reduced government spending in that area.

Environmentalist have also been absorbed because they worship the earth. Cleaning up the environment is an extremely effective change agent used in public schools. It is non-threatening to parents to celebrate earthday and do projects connected with it. Very few would connect that kind of activity to their Christian faith. Sadly enough, this is how the thinking was gradually changed. The Pope, and Evangelists involved are calling "The Call" the youth who have been readied for the New Age to take place. They want to see new "Revival", the new millennium, in action. The price is the fundamental Christians "Born Again" believers cannot participate in United Religions. Their Great Commission is to win people to Christ which is forbidden in this philosophy as you will see as you go through this information. There is no Second Coming in this phisolophy.

The theosophical society began to surface in the US originally as far back as 1875 and has spread throughout the country. Many Christians have adopted this philosophy in the West and throughout Europe through education and media relating to physical and emotional well-being.

We are finding that major popular universities such as Harvard are working on projects like the United Nations with universities throughout the country. They research, receive funding for pluralism projects, run seminars teaching pluralism to school teachers, publish, why we need to embrace pluralism and how to get students to accept it. They labor under the assumption that this type of world society will ultimately bring in that heavenly millennium prophesied in the Bible where the lion and the lamb will lovingly lay next to each other and live happily ever after.

 

United Religions' mentioned Evangelicals for Social Action, who held meetings. Following are Ron Sider's articles featured on the Website named ESA Evangelicals for Social Action. Ron Sider directs a Holistic Ministry. The link to their Statement of Faith took us to "The Lausanne Covenant." Ron's articles among others are:

The Dallas Morning News - click to read
FAITH-BASED ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAMS WORK

The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 23, 1999
BUSH'S REFERENCES TO JESUS CHRIST EVOKE UNEASY CIVIC ROLE OF RELIGION

MAXMIZING THE CONTRIBUTION OF FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO SOLVE TODAY'S MOST URGENT SOCIAL PROBLEMS

FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONS: SHOULD THEY DEVELOP A CLOSER PARTNERSHIP

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UNDERSTANDING OUR WORLD, LEARNING ABOUT RELIGIONS
IS THEIR SLOGAN!
 
SYMBOLISM
 

 

click on links:

1) URI INITIATIVE

2) INTERFAITH YOUTH CORPS

3) OVERLAPPING OF ENVIRONMENTALISTS INTO THE CHURCH

4) OVERLAPPING FROM CIVIC TO RELIGIOUS, VICE VERSA

5) UNITY FROM WITHIN

Editor's Note: We have tried to keep this information just as is on the site. URI Emergency is as big as we show on their website and draws attention. What Emergency refers to, is on this page. Click on emergency.

URI 1 start_____________

Links:

URI & UNESCO (United Nations) - UNITY FROM WITHIN
Interfaith Guide
Interfaith Youth Corps
URI Emergency
Response Network
Africa
Asia
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
URI 72 Hours

An Example Of Their Symbolism

United Religions Initiative

From A Sourcebook for Earth's Community of Religions, edited by Joel Beversluis.

The United Religions Initiative is made up of people from dozens of religious groups and denominations. We invite you to learn more about each of the religions represented by clicking on the symbols below.

Sikhism ... Christianity ... Hinduism ... Buddhism ... Islam ... Shinto ... Judaism ... Bahá'í Faith ... Taoism ... Unitarianism ... Native Traditions ... Wicca ... Zoroastrianism ... Jainism ... Other Religions

EDITOR'S NOTE: On their frontpage the religions are linked to an index of each religion. Under Christianity they have a link to evangelist - [they would only advertise organizations that are in favor of this concept]

It links to: Dr. Billy Graham

Christianity: Origins and Beliefs were written for URI by The Rev. Thomas A. Baima, S.T.L.
Catholic Priest, Director of the Office for Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs of the Archdiocese of Chicago, and Trustee of The Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions

URI 1 end ______________________

URI 2 start______________________

THE UNITED RELIGIONS INITIATIVE

Condensed:

. Sign the URI Charter - The time has come for all people supporting the values brought forth in the United Religions Initiative Charter to endorse this historic document. Join with people of faith from around the world to promote enduring, daily interfaith cooperation, help end religiously motivated violence, and to create cultures of peace, justice and healing for the Earth and all living beings. Thousands of signatures are collected and presented at the Global Signing Ceremony on June 26, 2000, sign now.

Editor's Note: This came in after we got through with this research, there is no other reference to this meeting in Stanford. The search engine brought up 23,000 documents in connection with United Religion, that doesn't mean anything. Their search engine needs work. The spiritual department of the university majors in philosophy and metaphysics.

This is what the contributing Prophecy Ministry stated: "Now, the political United Nations has a spiritual equivalent, a New World Order Religion, called "United Religions". The target date for full implementation is the same year as all other New World Order target dates, 2,000 AD. A major development in the coming Kingdom of Antichrist."
At a meeting at Stanford Univ., CA on June 23-27, 1997, the "Timeline for UR 2000" was created. The UR charter writing was to start June, 1998 and end in June, 2000. This may be another reason why 1997/1998 was marked by the Modern Parallels. They plan to sign the charter June 26, 2000, probably in Jerusalem. The Pope is to be the head, and the UR is supposed to unite all religions and bring peace to the world.

The only thing I can see that is holding them back is the Holy Spirit in the salt-of-the-earth people that are dead set against this. Once we are out of the picture, the restraining influence will be removed, and this UR will be officially launched with a charter, which is slated to be signed June 26, 2000
[Source: http://www.kiwi.net/~mjagee/procon478.htm ]

URI & UNESCO - Sign the Manifesto 2000! The United Religions Initiative and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) are partners in the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the Manifesto 2000.

URI 2 end _____________

URI 3 start _____________

URI Emergency Response Network

Over one hundred religious leaders in the wider San Francisco Bay area have formed a network to respond instantly and overwhelmingly to verified acts of hate violence perpetrated against religious, ethnic, racial, and gender minorities in Northern California.

Women and men of several world religions will mobilize their communities to provide solidarity and support to members of the targeted community, while sending a message to the public that the religious communities are united in their determination to say no to hate.

Violent acts of hatred will trigger notes of solidarity, prayers, and letters to the affected community. The Emergency Response Network will also encourage preaching in congregations and houses of worship, publishing press releases, and other demonstrations of support and concern.

To become a member of the URI Emergency Response Network or learn more about its work, you may contact the Reverend William Rankin at the United Religions Initiative (415)561-2300 or Rabbi Douglas Kahn at the Jewish Community Relations Council (415)957-1551.

To be on the e-mailing list write subscribe in the subject of this e-mail link.

URI 3 end ________________

Robert Muller start _______________

Robert Muller (World Core Curriculum, United Religions supporter, former Assistant General of the UN), here are just two of his 2000 ideas, which can be found posted at the following URL:
http://www.lsw.org/ideas/RMideas.html
~ Idea 393 ~ 7 August 1995

A lady asked me to explain to her the word gaiaphily. It comes from Gaia, the Greek name of the goddess Earth (hence gaiagraphy, gaialogy, gaiametry, gaiaphysics, etc. distorted later by male scientists into geography, geology, geometry,
geophysics, etc.) meaning the description, the science, the measurement and the physical aspects of the Earth, words all derived from Greek. Phily is also a Greek word which means love.
Thus philanthropy means the love of anthropos (man or humanity). I coined the word gaiaphily because in our time we must also love Gaia, our precious Mother Earth.

~ Idea 1187 ~ 10 October 1997

A government would become famous by putting on the agenda of the UN General Assembly an item entitled: convening of a second San Francisco and Bretton Woods Conference to produce a better UN creation of a world federation of states creation of a World Union on the model of the European Union creation of an Earth Government

Robet Muller end ______________

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INTERFAITH YOUTH CORPS
Within their logo we have the upside-down cross

The Interfaith Youth Corps (IFYC) is a bold and innovative program which offers young people a supportive space in which to explore these questions and others they may bring while learning skills essential for creating a peaceful and just society.

At its heart the IFYC is an opportunity for young people to make a difference and in the process to be forever changed. Through long-term service in a community that welcomes their contribution, the program is a place for participants to:

· express their spiritual ideals through service
· build deeper relationships among people of diverse traditions and religions
· develop compassionate, global leaders with a profound interfaith experience.

Young adults have been an integral part of the growing international interfaith movement. In June of 1999, a group of young people came together to focus on the role of youth in this new global force. Through the collaborative effort and support of three major interfaith organizations, the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions (CPWR), the Interfaith Center of New York (IFC) and the United Religions Initiative (URI), a small group of spiritually and culturally diverse people held a three day conference. The idea of an Interfaith Youth Corps was born and the groundwork for its operations was developed.

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ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT OF FAITH?

This is an example of the overlap between environmentalists and the church:

Notice the Environmental statement of faith that was signed by Protestants, Evangelicals, Catholics and Jews, The Cornwall Declaration on Environmental Stewardship.[http://www.stewards.net/About.htm
http://www.stewards.net/CornwallDeclaration.htm ]

Signers of the declaration, include a veritable who's who in the Council for National Policy. [http://www.stewards.net/Signers.htm - http://www.stewards.net/OtherSigners.txt ]

But notice the list of resources on the website: http://www.stewards.net/Resources.htm
Among these odd bedfellows are some puzzling alliances, like the Nature Conservancy, one of the principal driving forces behind the Wildlands Project [ http://www.tnc.org/ ]
or the Thoreau Institute, named after one of the fathers of American pantheism [ http://www.ti.org/
http://www.ti.org/liberty.html ]

or the Rocky Mountain Institute, featuring the Amory Lovins, a Fellow of Lindisfarne, and Paul Hawken, father of the natural foods movement and alumnus of Findhorn [ http://www.rmi.org/ - http://www.naturalcapitalism.org/ ]

I could go on, but am a bit confused at this time. How can final integration of the evangelicals with the radicals and new agers be so close at hand? And they didn't even have to fire a shot. [ Source: Willy ]

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Take Heed Ministries UK

OVERLAPPING FROM CIVIC TO RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS AND VICE VERSA

"Be not afraid or dismayed by reason of this great multitude for the battle is not yours but God's. "(2nd Chronicles 20v15)

 

The only hope for a change of heart in man is still as it has been for the past 2000 years namely the true "gospel of Christ" [Romans 1:16]. With every passing day the darkness of error that would seek to snuff out "the light of the glorious gospel of Christ" [2 Corinthians 4:4] seems to intensify and gain even more ground in the professing church that is supposed to be "the pillar and ground of the truth" [1 Timothy 3:15]. Despite the advances and acceptance of the cults, new age, ‘prosperity peddlers’, non-Christian faiths and especially Roman Catholicism together with false ecumenism the Lord’s promise still remains "I will build MY church" [Matthew 16:18]. We seek to encourage people to "take heed that no man deceive you" [Matthew 24:4]

Your servant for Christ CECIL ANDREWS - Take Heed Ministries, UK

Editor's Note: We are using this newsletter from England for an example of how the United Nation's plan for a united religion is going to be accomplished.:

THE QUEEN'S "MISTAKEN" MESSAGE

During her annual Christmas Day message the Queen highlighted the work of the 'EMMERGENCY SERVICES' - not just 'at home' but also abroad. She said "Earlier this year in Manchester I visited some of the 'EMMERGENCY SERVICES' whose responsibilities day in and day out are based on concern for others. As always they are on duty over these Christmas and New Year holidays. Some of these fire-fighters had gone well beyond Manchester to give assistance to others"

We then saw her talking to some of these firemen and viewing photographs they had taken whilst helping refugees in THE BALKANS earlier this year. She went on to say "They remind us of the responsibility of each and every one of us to show concern for our neighbours and those less fortunate than ourselves. I believe that this provides us with the direction and resolve required for the years ahead".

Later she added, "At the centre of all our lives, today and tomorrow, must be the message of caring for others, THE MESSAGE AT THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY AND ALL THE GREAT RELIGIONS. This message - "Love thy neighbour as thyself" may be for Christians 2000 years old but it is as relevant today as it ever was. I believe IT GIVES US THE GUIDANCE AND THE REASSURANCE WE NEED as we step over the threshold into the 21st century".

Why have I referred to 'THE QUEEN'S MISTAKEN MESSAGE'? When you examine what she said you discover these three points.

1. She declares that the message supposedly 'at the heart of Christianity' and of all the so-called 'great religions' is 'Love thy neighbour as thyself'. On this basis she is basically saying that Christianity and other religions should not be in conflict with each other.

2. She declares that this message of 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' should be 'at the centre of all our lives'.

3. She declares that this message of 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' can give us 'the guidance and the reassurance we need as we step over the threshold into the 21st century'.

How do I react to the 'QUEEN'S MESSAGE'? I think my feelings could be summed up in 2 words IMMENSE SADNESS.

With a viewing audience of countless millions the Queen's message of hope for the future MISSED CHRIST and MISSED THE CROSS. Her hopes for a brighter future are MAN CENTRED and not CALVARY CENTRED. Why has this happened? She has fallen victim to the false 'SOCIAL GOSPEL' of 'Love thy neighbour as thyself' and jettisoned the 'SAVING GOSPEL' of "Christ died for our sins". If her 'Mistaken Man-Centred Message' were true then people should be "of all men most miserable".

In answer to a question the Lord replied "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment [no reference to it by the Queen!] and the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" [Matthew 22:37-39].

THIS IS NOT THE CHRISTIAN GOSPEL which is"the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth" [Romans 1:16] but simply a summary of the10 commandments and Paul teaches that "by the deeds of the law there shall be no flesh justified in his for by the law is the knowledge of sin " [Romans 3:20]

'EMMERGENCY SERVICES' come to save us from 'mortal danger' but the 'ETERNAL SON' came to save us from 'immortal damnation'.

THE GOSPEL BY WHICH MEN ARE SAVED IS THAT "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures [1st Corinthians 15:3-4]

The message of hope for the future fell from the lips of Christ Himself "REPENT AND BELIEVE THE GOSPEL" [Mark 1:15] and only with Christ and the gospel message of what He has done and not what we must do at the centre of our lives do we truly possess 'GUIDANCE AND REASSURANCE AS WE STEP OVER THE THRESHOLD INTO THE 21ST CENTURY"

May God save our gracious Queen by bringing her to reject her 'Mistaken Message' and to embrace the 'Messiah's Message'.

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Ecumenical "lion" [1st Peter 5:8] sets its sights on 'YOUTH' Tony Campolo to spearhead 'HISTORY MAKERS' initiative

On Saturday 22nd January 2000, the Spires Conference Cente, Belfast played host to the launch of a large ‘ecumenical umbrella organisation’ known as ‘HISTORY MAKERS’. As you read on perhaps a more apt title for this alliance might have been ‘Reformation Wreckers’.

From their own web site we read the following -

1. What if every single student aged 14 and upwards could be given an attractively illustrated, jargon busting [has that expression triggered any alarm bells in you?] copy of St John’s gospel - the key to life and all its fullness.

2. What if young people from every background of denomination [how wide is ‘every’?] might rise to the History Makers Challenge - to see their lives and contribution count.

3. Could all the Christian [note the pre-supposition that ‘all’ the groups involved are ‘Christian’] organisations that reach out [with what for salvation? - God’s Gospel to be preached or Satan’s Sacramentalism to be performed?] to young people collaborate ["can two walk together except they be agreed" Amos 3:3] on a single project for just one year.

Commendable as the idea of circulating a copy of John’s gospel may seem it requires more. Paul did not instruct Timothy to "distribute the word" but rather he instructed him to "PREACH the word" [2 Timothy 4:2]. The Ethiopian eunuch had a copy of God’s Word but needed a FAITHFUL preacher to explain it to him as Philip did in Acts 8:35.

When you read the following list of organisations that are supporting this History Makers Challenge you will realise that if they were being faithful to their understandings of the gospel [some true, some false] they would never be lining up together. However, provided that true biblical doctrines are not expounded, and fine sounding biblical terminology is used but not defined, then this unholy stew can bubble away happily in the ecumenical cooking pot. As you read through this list I challenge you to consider whether you or your church are currently supporting any of these groups and if so - should you continue to do so?

 

ORGANISATIONS SUPPORTING ‘HISTORY MAKERS’

Presbyterian Church Youth Board; Methodist Dept. of Youth and Childrens Work; Church of Ireland Youth Dept.; Lifelink Churches; Youth Initiatives; Exodus; YWAM; Girls Brigade; Boys Brigade; Youth for Christ; YMCA; Crusaders; Scripture Union; Salvation Army; Youth Link NI; Tearfund; Summer Madness; Awake; Quaker Youth; CMSI; CAST; Cathog; Evangelical Catholic Initiative; Down and Connor Youth Commission; Trocaire.

The launch on Saturday 22 January was scheduled to run from 2.00pm-10.00pm [cost £3.50] and consisted of seminars/workshops etc with an evening of ‘praise’. [Some of the heresies of Tony Campolo can be found detailed in other articles that are available from "Take Heed".] The music for the evening of ‘praise’ was to be supplied by the Summer Madness and MANNAFEST Bands plus the Down and Connor Folk Group. The battle for the minds of young people is ‘on’. Satan wishes to keep them blinded [2 Corinthians 4:3-4] and the History Makers Challenge is set to aid his cause. (Source:Take Heed Ministries UK)

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UNITY FROM WITHIN
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE POPE
Pope John Paul II recently visited the United States following his five-day stay in Mexico. During his 30-hour stop in St. Louis, Missouri, the pope spoke to 20,000 youth during an evening rally, conducted a morning mass for over 100,000 Catholics and led an interfaith prayer service at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. During his visit, the pope not only expressed his desire for "Christian" unity and for the eventual unity of all religions, but he also declared his complete commitment to interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Upon arriving in St. Louis, the pope said, "I express my friendship and esteem for my fellow Christians, for the Jewish community in America, for our Muslim brothers and sisters. I express my cordial respect for people of all religions and for every person of good will." Certainly every believer should respect all people, regardless of their cultural, racial or religious background. However, the following quotes by the pope and the fact that he called Muslims his "brothers and sisters" reveal that he desires spiritual, ecumenical unity. During the pope's interfaith prayer gathering, which began with the reading of Scripture by Rabbi Robert Jacobs (this was the first time a rabbi had taken part in a papal service anywhere in the world), the pope told his audience:
"Our gracious host, Archbishop Rigali, has invited to this Evening Prayer representatives of many different religious groups and sectors of civil society. I am particularly pleased that distinguished members of other Churches and Ecclesial Communities have joined the Catholic community of St. Louis in this Evening Prayer. With hope and confidence let us continue to work together to realize the Lord's desire: 'That they may all be one ... that the world may believe' (Jn. 17:21). My friendship and esteem go also to those of all other religious traditions. In particular I recall my long association with members of the Jewish faith, and my meetings in many parts of the world with my Muslim brothers and sisters. Today, divine Providence has brought us all together and enabled us to pray: 'O God, let all the nations praise you!' May this prayer signify our shared commitment to ever greater understanding and cooperation."
Among those who attended the interfaith meeting was John Anderson, pastor of the Third Baptist Church in St. Louis. According to the New York Times, Anderson is president of the Interfaith Partnership of Metropolitan St. Louis (which includes Christians, Jews, Muslims and Baha'i's). In his latest interfaith newsletter, Anderson said: "Instead of marveling at the fact that Providence allows such a great variety of religions, we should be amazed at the number of common elements found within them." Anderson's Third Baptist Church is affiliated with both the Southern Baptist Convention and the American Baptist Churches, U. S. A.
Prior to his departure, the pope once again reiterated his ecumenical desire: "The welcome extended to me by my fellow Christians and by the members of other religious communities has been most gracious. I hope you will accept my sincere thanks and the assurance of my friendship in the cause of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue and cooperation."
This same cry for the ecumenical unity of all religions is being reiterated by every interfaith group, including the renowned National Council of Churches and World Council of Churches. The Bible-obeying Fundamentalist should "honor all men," that is, show respect to all men as individuals, but he should not tolerate a false gospel and ecumenical unity at the expense of truth (August 15, 1999 Fundamental Baptist Information Service, 1701 Harns Rd., Oak Harbor, WA 98277 - Foundation, March-April 1999).
 
 
 
CURRENT TREND OF TOLERANCE IS A CHANGE AGENT

 

Some liberal denominations, bishops have ordained homosexual clergy and allowed witches to teach in seminary (3/00 Charisma). A departure from Scriptural authority has created same-sex marriage and radical feminism. These and other
heresies are rapidly emptying the pews of liberal churches where apostasy is rife. But sadly, many of those leaving the liberal churches are flocking in droves to charismatic churches.

 

MULTI FAITH LEADERS USHER IN LENT

 

LOS ANGELES (AP) March 9, 2000 _ For the first time since the 16th century Protestant Reformation, Roman Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran bishops hosted a joint Ash Wednesday service to welcome the Christian penitential season of Lent.
The three clergymen _ Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, Episcopal Bishop Frederick H. Borsch and Evangelical Lutheran Bishop Paul W. Egertson _ made the traditional mark of the cross on each other's foreheads with ashes during the service at the University of Southern California.
``Turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel,'' the clergymen said to each other before placing ashes on the nearly 900 students in attendance. The ashes serve as a reminder of mortality.
A Vatican spokesman said Wednesday he was unaware of any precedent to the joint service.
The event was seen as ``one more step'' toward unity, according to Mahony, the Roman Catholic archbishop of Los Angeles, the largest archdiocese in the nation.
In 1993, leaders of the three churches in Los Angeles recognized the validity of each other's baptism rites. They participated in a joint baptismal service in 1994.
Episcopalians and Evangelical Lutherans are free to receive Communion in each other's churches, but may not receive Communion in a Catholic church.
``We cannot on this day yet share bread and wine together,'' Borsch said in a brief homily Wednesday. ``But we are sharing ashes with one another _ and rightly so as we stand before God.''
Last October, international leaders of the Catholic and Lutheran churches put aside five centuries of differences in theology. They issued a declaration ending a dispute over salvation, which sparked the Reformation and led to the Thirty Years War.
Martin Luther set in motion the Protestant Reformation when he nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, protesting the practice of selling indulgences to help believers gain forgiveness for their sins.
The dispute centered on the question of how to get to heaven. Catholics believe that people's actions can make a difference, while Lutherans believe salvation is based on faith alone.
At the heart of the agreement last fall was a statement that faith is essential in salvation.
[Source: http://www.infobeat.com/stories/cgi/story.cgi?id=2564847703-ba4]
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UNITY FROM WITHIN
UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF PROMISE KEEPERS
 

"It is happening to one degree or another in a lot of the small towns in Texas. I know of one where the Methodist church was without a pastor and the Catholic priest filled in without protest from either side. Also, they have a revolving Sunday lunch, each week at a different church with all churches attending.

In my hometown out west, they have been having an ecumenical meeting at least once a month with several different denominations attending and the various preachers sharing the pulpit. This has been going on for a few years now. These seem to be without outside influence ('cept the Devil) and are being organized along the current
trend "the body". (Source: Jimmy - March, 2000)

Notes from follow-up meeting about Pastor's retreat. I just wanted to share about what's going on in my little town. A group of men - affiliations unknown to me but at least one of those involved is, I know, active with Promise Keepers - is working together to urge pastors in our town to work together.

My husband is a pastor, so he has been receiving regular emails from this bunch. He even attended their "pastor's retreat" to see what it was all about. They talked about signing a "covenant," patterned after one done by pastors in Arlington, Tx. [See the latter part below.] Is this really happening in most of the other towns and cities around our nation? Anybody know?
Following is an email sent to us which summarizes the results of the retreat, showing what direction this thing is headed. Thought you might be interested. I've removed names for privacy's sake. Praise the Lord, my husband made it clear to them that he wanted nothing to do with their plans and to be sure not to even use his name! (Source: Kathryn - March 13, 2000)

Subject: Notes from follow-up meeting ... Pastor's retreat
I wanted to pass on to those of you who attended the pastor's retreat some notes from our follow-up meeting that was held last Thursday at [a pastor's] church (the church's name}. The response seemed to be overwhelmingly positive. I'm excited about the events that are taking place as a result of the retreat:

(1) Several of the pastors gathered together last week and prayed with [one of the pastors] concerning [a family
matter]; and
(2) [two pastors] have agreed to preach at [another pastor's] revival next month. We talked about pastoral unity here in [our town] and the area, and I asked the pastors to invision what would happen in [our town] if there was
unity. Below, is a list that they came up with. We also talked about having another retreat ... probably a two-day retreat. The dates we came up with are Thursday - Friday, April 27-28. These dates looked good because we
wanted to be able to put together a Pastor's Covenant and be able have [one of the pastors] read it at the court house steps at the May 4 Day of Prayer.
We're looking for a retreat center within about a 30 mile radius. I would like to get your feedback on the dates, and if you have thoughts on where we might could go, please let me know. [signed by the layman organizing ]

[Our town] Pastor's Thoughts on Unity 3/2/2000
If the pastors in [our town] and the area were unified what would we see happen?
1) Pastors would openly pray for and encourage pastors of other churches and denominations in our area.
2) Pastors would gladly invite other pastors of other denominations to preach in their pulpits.
3) Pastors would have a sense of tolerance for other pastors.
4) Pastors would see their individual agendas take second place as compared to the need of unity.
5) Pastors would regularly come together for prayer.
6) Pastors would gladly exchange resources with other pastors and churches. This would include personal resources along with resources of people, equipment, materials, buildings or whatever with other churches as a
way of reaching out and helping them with needs they might have.
7) You would see camaraderie exist among the pastors. They would possess a love and trust toward one another and a genuine concern to reach out and help one another.
8) Christ would be the center of attention.
9) Each pastor would work to protect the unity.
10) Pastors would encourage their congregations, on a regular basis, to reach out to the needs of other churches.
11) Pastors would be willing to openly share personal and church needs with other pastors.
12) Pastors would guard the confidentiality of other pastors.
13) The Church of [our town] would gather periodically for worship and praise and prayer together."Living a life without prayer is like building a house without nails." **

Watching Unity Take Shape


"It's exciting when you see the Lord working. Without a doubt it's because your prayers are definitely making some things happen in our city. We'll be back together Thursday morning at 6:00 at [local restaurant].
Continue to call and invite men to come and pray for our ministers, our churches and our city.
Arlington Christian Ministries

To read the Covenant of Commitment of Christian Leaders in Arlington, TX,

Ten years ago a handful of pastors began to pray for each other and city of Arlington, TX. Little did they know that today, over one third of the churches in the city would covenant together, cooperate and pray on a regular basis for each others' success. Arlington, like many cities, is in spiritual trouble. A recent survey indicates that of 300,000 residents, less than 90,000 attend church regularly. While Sunday attendance may not be indicative of one's relationship with Christ, it does speak to their perception of church relevance. By working together in an environment of love and cooperation we're asking God to change our city's spiritual climate and reverse this
startling statistic.

History In The Making About Unity
fullfilling the covenant that we have all read and signed

Never before in the history of Arlington has such unity occurred. Even as we enjoy this amazing move of the Spirit, we understand that God's theme of unity in His church is being repeated hundreds of times in cities all across the globe. It's actually the answer to Jesus' prayer in the 17th chapter of the book of John.

Unity Is Central To God's Heart

According to John 17:23, as we, in unity, love one another, our city will know that the Father sent Jesus and that they have a God who loves them. Throughout Arlington there are men, women, and children who do not have a basic understanding of these two important realities.
Practically, no one local church has the capacity nor ability to shepherd the whole city, but a unified Body of Christ can. Ecclasiastes 4:21 reminds us that "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of
three strands is not easily broken."
I wanted to pass on to you what is happening with the ministers and churches in Arlington, Texas.

Our heart is for the citizens to see the Church of Jesus Christ loving each other, working cooperatively together and bringing the same message of the Lordship of Jesus.
We want them to see a unified body proclaiming the same Jesus who changes lives and circumstances whether they attend a denominational gathering on Collins or an independent body on Cooper. We want to give our lives to the
things of God that, as ministers, we signed up for in the first place.
We invite you to join us as we pray for each other and for the success of the Gospel in Arlington. As our relationships deepen we can, together, live out the principles of the covenant that we have all read and signed. (source: The Heart of Arlington Christian Ministries)

[ The Cutting Edge has an article about United Religions which would be well worthwhile reading: http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1094.cfm>http://www.cuttingedge.org/news/n1094.cfm ]

 
 
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