Hi CU list,

And hello to you, Vesa!  May God bless this discussion!  And I mean, we
really do need God's help to find how we put God's will for Christian unity
into practice, as in the situation you describe, Vesa.

I'll intro myself here , too, fyi.  I'm an Okie (Oklahoma,USA) and a 50yo
male geezer.  But age doesn't help much, I don't have a ready, specific,
answer for you, Vesa.  But I think it's a great question, and I for one,
will pray for an answer to come to someone on this list.  That really is the
big question for all of us, how do we find a way to *do* Christian unity in
each of our own real life situations?

It would seem to make a lot of sense for the few in several churches to meet
together as a larger group in one church, from the way you describe it,
Vesa.  But then, I don't know.  I wonder what would be gained from everybody
being in the same building?  I guess it would show that they accepted each
other as sisters and brothers, and that they worshipped the same Jesus.
And, of course, it would be more like the physical situation of pentacost.

But then, we all realize it's the heart thing that counts more than physical
location, isn't it?  I mean it's in the heart where we're one in the love of
Jesus, for all his brethren.  Any ideas, on how to approach this, Vesa, or
anyone?

Love in Jesus to all,
Tim

----- Original Message -----
From: Vesa Alho <valho@...>
To: <ChristianUnity@...>
Sent: Friday, September 10, 1999 9:37 AM
Subject: [CU] true unity


> Hi there folks!
>
> For those new people on the list, may I introduce myself. My name is Vesa
> Alho (age 19 and male) and I live in Finland (North Europe). I've written
a
> few times, but lurked lately because I'm doing my mandatory military
> service (playing the saxophone in the army brass band, nice way to "do the
> time"). Please forgive my English since it's not my mother language.
Please
> feel free to send e-mail about anything.
>
> I have a question about Christian Unity. I've noticed a common dilemma in
> smaller cities in Finland, which I believe is similar dilemma over there.
> Namely, a lack of unity between Christian communities. For example my hown
> town/city (population 80, 000). There are several small Christian churches
> shearing same belief in Jesus Christ. All struggle with low attendance and
> a lack of voluntary people (music, Sunday school etc.). I believe we could
> reach much more "worldly" people, if there's only one church. But so far
> all projects together have been small and only "once a year" happenings.
> Maybe this is only my feeling, but I'm quite worried about the future if
> nothing happens...I strongly believe it's time to act because Jesus is
> coming back soon (not because of the millenium though :-))
> Any similar experiences? I know I've told this before, but maybe there's
> new insight.
>
> God Bless All !
>
> <>< In Christ, Vesa
>
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