A woman called the other day, from another church, and asked if we (our church) might join them in helping feed the hungry and reaching out to the homeless at the local soup kitchen. I politely let them know that they can do their own thing while we do ours. While they are doing a good thing we are doing something else - we have our own ministries going on and really, we don’t share the same theology. Besides, I have come to realize that it’s doctrine that saves us! Doctrines are the only thing that matter!
I heard this conversation recently and it broke my heart. I sat in disbelief as I overheard the discussion with feelings of sadness turning to anger. How is it that in the name of Jesus Christ it is important to share the same doctrine, the exact theology before we can do ministry with another group of people who have differing opinions? How? I thought to myself, this is exactly what the world sees in Christians and wants nothing to do with them or their doctrine.
Two things that come to mind:

1. It is incredible to me that people today actually believe that their theology has to be in sync with others in order to join hands for the sake of the Kingdom. My lack of speaking in tongues has absolutely nothing to do with joining up with another group of people who do to feed the hungry, to befriend a stranger, to help the weak, etc. People are hungry and we argue whether or not our doctrine checks out. Simply incredible! And there it is. We do a better job of building walls instead of building bridges. We do a better job of keeping people out rather than inviting people in. It’s like the church that has a barbed wire fence around the building. What’s the message? Stay out? You’re not one of us?

2. Doctrine Saves??? Are you kidding me? (It was at this point that my sadness turned to anger.) Whose doctrine? Whose theology saves a person? Is it a matter of what one knows or is there any merit in the person and work of Jesus Christ? I seek to be led by God’s Spirit, to seek the person of Jesus Christ and not by making sure my theology is correct. If doctrine saves then I am in trouble. I am in danger of “not making it” cause quite frankly there are some doctrines that I’m reconsidering these days.

No wonder the world stands at arms length to the church.