C is for CONVERGENCE

Convergence—because we are better together. Our unique contributions to the kingdom are brought together in strength at the crossroads.

Unity.

Convergence.

Collaboration.

We are better together.

United we stand, divided we fall.

These are words we can rally around for a moment in time perhaps, but find quite challenging to walk out as a lifestyle. In practice, it is easier to run towards a common cause with those of like mind. What happens, however, when we bring the true diversity of the body of Christ together in one purpose? Often it dissolves into debate in which few change their position and most walk away hurt and unheard.

Instead we find camaraderie in a modern-day church tribe that attracts those with similar gifts to run together. Our churches and ministries attract others with like vision, like worship styles, like theology. If we venture very far beyond our own denominational boundaries, we find that we almost have to learn a whole new language to interact.

We end up with a church body that has been divided like a pie...all the evangelists in one organization trying to reach the world without a plan to pastor and teach them after they have been saved...the pastors and teachers offering every type of workshop and conference to the same small population of people sitting in their pews...the apostles making alliances to build for the kingdom...the prophets comparing and dissecting each other's visions and dreams.

And yet, Ephesians 4:16 describes the ultimate convergence of the body of Christ, with every member equipped and working properly, fitly joined together, built up in love. The context of these verses on unity is stunning. It describes a church that would not be tossed to and fro like infants in the waves on every wind of doctrine and a five fold ministry working together towards one end... a Bride that attains unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God.

So, how do we get from our divided pie to a fitly joined together body of Christ? In the study of unity in scripture, all roads lead back to One. Jesus asked the Father in John 17:20-23 that we would be one in Him as He is one with the Father so that the world could know Him..."so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me."

The only crossroads of convergence is the one with Jesus at the intersection. We may not be able to agree on doctrines or music styles, but we can agree on one mission to show the love of God to the world. Instead of all for one (each other), we are all for the One and He is our One for all.

The witness of love shines brightest at this crossroads of unity, where we choose to leave our differences behind us and unite in Jesus. "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another," John 13:35.

Psalms 133

"Behold how good and how pleasant
when brothers dwell in unity!
It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore."

Written by Christeena Kale, Director of the SoCal School of Supernatural Ministry