Congregationalism, Congregations, and Love

Thabiti Anybwile writes "A Letter to the Church at Temple Hills: Congregationalism, Congregations, and Love." Here are two excellent paragraphs:

There is something that congregationalism presupposes if it is to be healthy. It assumes the people comprising the congregation are actually acting as members of one body rather than individuals "casting their vote" in partisan affairs. It assumes that the allegiance to the whole is stronger than the allegiance to self or any parts or cliques. The party spirit crying "I am of Apollos" and "I am of Paul" destroys the "no division in the body... equal concern for each other" (1 Cor. 12:25) ethic vital to the well-being of the church.

Every member of the church has a responsibility to abandon self and party and fight for the preservation of the whole. "Make every effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 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" (Eph. 4:3-6). "Is Christ divided?" (1 Cor. 1:13).

Read the whole thing.