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Editor's Note Alex Bearden Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:17-20 (TNIV) In this issue, it is my desire to introduce to you, or encourage you to continue, a ministry of reconciliation. From Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, we know that God’s work in Christ reconciled us to God. Once we accept God’s gift of reconciliation in our own lives we begin to see the need for reconciliation in the world around us. We are Christ’s ambassadors, and it is our mission to bring God’s reconciliation to one another. There are two things I want to share with you about reconciliation before explaining more about the content of this Reconciliation Issue. First, let me discuss the scope of reconciliation. As I searched for articles to fill this issue, I mostly encountered articles relating to racial reconciliation. My desire was indeed to present the imperative of racial reconciliation, but also to include areas of gender, class, and even age reconciliation. God’s creation is certainly filled with a rich diversity, but with that diversity, we have many barriers to overcome. Too many of us have experienced pain and suffering as a result of our differences, whether one feels excluded because of a racial difference, or feels ill equipped to serve because of gender, or perhaps feels too young or too old to be of any use. I do not believe these feelings or others like them have a place in Christ’s Church. Instead, God wants us to be reconciled to himself and to others so that we can use our gifts accordingly. Does God want us all to be one? Yes and no. In our most recent conference, the theme was “One Body, Many Gifts.” While we sought to worship as a unified body, we also encouraged each person to serve in the area of their giftedness. For reconciliation, the message is similar. God wants us to be reconciled to one another in the sense that we become as one body. However, that does not suggest that we have to leave our unique and God given differences at the threshold of the church. Instead, let us bring in our pain and suffering so that we may be healed as we are reconciled to God and one another. We need to remember that the difficult task of reconciliation is Christ’s work through us. If we make it our work instead of Christ’s, we will fail to see the true value of others. As Christ unites us, we can use our differences to glorify God. I think this exemplifies what reconciliation is intended to be-that we discover our unity in Christ, coming together with our differences to find peace and understanding with one another. A main focus of CBE is gender reconciliation. Many of our members and friends have experienced injustice against women in society, in the church, or in the home. Our desire is to heal and overcome these injustices by promoting biblical equality. Once we enter that struggle, we also notice injustices in other areas: discrimination against ethnic groups, socioeconomic classes, or age groups. At that time, we realize the need for biblical equality is far greater than we imagined. With this issue, I hope you will learn to be aware of these injustices, and that instead of being a passive observer, you will desire to share in Christ’s ministry of reconciliation. Take the messages of each article and realize they can be applied to other areas; if an article addresses racial reconciliation, consider how the same teaching can be helpful in areas of gender reconciliation. Second, I want to encourage persistence and endurance as you begin your ministry of reconciliation. The storm of injustice is fierce at times, but when you realize the hope of reconciliation, it is like seeing the rainbow signifying the end of the storm. Reconciliation is a process, one that takes time. While the hurts and pains are deep and not easily forgotten. Yet, the storm is necessary; the rain brings life and growth to the world. Instead of bitterness, God’s desire is for us to grow into loving people who can find unity with one another in Christ. As we encounter future storms of discrimination and injustice, weather the storm, see the rainbow, and realize God’s gift of reconciliation. Let me now introduce the great articles that follow. First, Jennifer Sudderth offers a wonderful and inspiring piece that engages Galatians 3:28 as a way of overcoming the racial, economic, and gender barriers that limit our unity with Christ. This one article nearly embodies the subject of reconciliation to complete this issue, but there are three other fantastic articles with their own strengths. The second article, by Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, focuses more specifically on race and gender reconciliation. This compelling piece features McNeil’s personal story of committing herself to the ministry of reconciliation after she grieved the tragic and violent loss of her friend. After illuminating the process of reconciliation, she tells us that “reconciliation is mutually affirming and empowering.” We can authentically receive from and give help to those around us. But we cannot do this without a willingness to enter mutual relationships. Next, Dr. Dan Rotach shares how we can approach reconciliation across generational lines. From his personal experience as a therapist and church mediator, his insights have application to many other areas besides age reconciliation. We learn from Rotach that if we are willing to listen, respect, and value the strengths of each other, we can find our reconciliation in Christ. Finally, I want to share Spencer Perkins’ message on loving our neighbors. We know that reconciliation is not possible if we cannot love one another the way Christ loves us. This article is featured last because Perkins’ focus on love completes the message of reconciliation, reminding us that our ministry of reconciliation is all about love. When we embrace the two greatest commandments, we unleash the power of the Gospel. While Perkins specifically focuses on racial reconciliation, love is central to reconciliation in areas of gender, class, and age as well. This issue also contains a reconciliation survey. Follow the link on the right side of the page to participate. Your responses may even appear in the next issue. Also on the right side, follow links to our book store, Equality Depot. On behalf of this issue, we are offering titles related to reconciliation at 25% off! You will also find additional savings by viewing our new resources. Make sure to check out the featured audio message “A Deeper Passion for Jesus” by Pastor Efrem Smith. Also hear personal stories, visit our conference page, and learn how you can help CBE. In addition, you’ll find reflections from our most recent conference in St. Davids, Pennsylvania, written by our president, Mimi Haddad. Read an update from the Cornerstone Festival where CBE hosted a “Gender Revolution” tent. Also, start thinking about meeting us at the Evangelical Theological Society’s Annual Meeting in November. Follow the links under Ministry News to learn more. Finally, I wish to share two great membership offers with you. If you act now in renewing or starting an individual membership, you will receive a free TNIV Bible! There is also a sale for church memberships. Your church can become a member church at 20% off and also receive a free TNIV Bible. Please visit our website (www.cbeinternational.org) and explore all that CBE has to offer, including many free articles. Thank you for reading the Reconciliation Issue. We at CBE are hoping the words of the Apostle Paul find you well: “We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” And may God bless you as you enter into Christ’s ministry of reconciliation! Peace and Grace, Alex Bearden
Perhaps you would like to share your story with the readers of E-Quality. If you have an article you would like to submit for consideration, send it to cbe@cbeinternational.org. We also welcome any other feedback, comments, or suggestions you may have. |
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| Alex Bearden recently graduated from Bethel University and will attend Princeton Theological Seminary this fall. Currently, he is serving as editor of E-Quality and as an administrative assistant for Christians for Biblical Equality. |
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