The Other Side of the Boundary

I’m not purpose-driven™, but I listened to Rick Warren at an event a couple of months ago and had to repent of my bad attitude.

I’m not a Pentecostal, but I sat in a meeting with Pentecostals a couple of weeks ago and realized that they are far more passionate about evangelism than I am. The lecture I heard busted through a lot of the stereotypes I hold about Pentecostals. Again, I had to repent.

I’m not egalitarian, but I spent some time recently with some brothers an sisters who are. I count these brothers and sisters as friends, and I value them and their ministries very much.

In the past few weeks, I’ve been amazed at the richness and diversity of the Body of Christ. I’ve sat with people from vastly different denominational, theological, and racial backgrounds, and I can honestly say I’ve learned from all of them.

Years ago Tim Keller said:

We can’t avoid drawing boundaries. Everyone does it, and if they say you’re not doing it, then you’re drawing a boundary by saying you’re not doing it. But what matters is how we treat the people on the other side of the boundary. We’re going to win the younger leaders if we are the most gracious and the most kind and the least self-righteous in controversy toward people on the other side of the boundary.

It’s not like I’m giving up my boundaries. But I’m continuing to learn from brothers and sisters on the other side of these boundaries. I’m continually humbled by what I see every time I do so.