02 Feb Wir Sind Bruder!

The account in our church history of Otterbein attending a “Great Meeting” at Isaac Long’s barn and meeting Martin Boehm has remained a favorite story ever since I first read it while a student in UB Church History. Early this morning I was awakened, and not being able to get back to sleep, for some reason this story came to my mind. I came to the office early, pulled down a copy of Drury’s Life of Otterbein, and read again of the encounter of the two founders of our denomination.

For those not familiar with United Brethren history, the event occurred on Pentecost Sunday, 1767. On that day Otterbein attended this “Great Meeting” and for the first time heard Boehm preach. Drury records it this way:

Mr. Otterbein listened as Boehm unfolded the truths of the gospel; as he uttered with exulting freedom and resistless force truths that his own mind and soul, through deep pangs and struggles, had apprehended. As Boehm concluded his sermon, and before he could sit down, Mr. Otterbein, moved by an overpowering conviction of newfound fellowship in the truth, clasped Boehm in his arms and exclaimed, “We are brethren!” (pp 116-117).

Then Drury says this:

“The effect, therefore, of this episode could not fail to be of the most dramatic character. Unable to repress their emotions, some in the congregation praised the Lord aloud; but the greater part were bathed in tears, and all hearts seemed melted into one” (page 117).

Thus the beginning of the United Brethren Church. I think it would have been exhilarating to have been there when “all hearts seemed melted into one” and the UB church was born.
“Melted into one” is the part of Drury’s record that gets to me. What would it be like, feel like, to be in a meeting where “all hearts seemed melted into one”? What is substantial enough to melt all hearts into one? So, early this morning I began to think about an answer to that question. I eliminated many things that have not been that substantial.

• Systematical theology hasn’t. We have a wonderful Confession of Faith, but it hasn’t really melted our hearts into one. Are we Reformed or Arminian? In my mind I said yes. Are we for eternal security or do we favor the possibility of backsliding? Again I answered yes. Do we hold to progressive sanctification or a second definite work of grace? Once again I said yes.
• Conferences haven’t! We have added, subtracted, merged, and separated our ministry districts in a variety of ways.
• Structure hasn’t! We’ve had part-time superintendents, fulltime superintendents, and even some part-time/fulltime superintendents. Now we have clusters and cluster leaders. We’ve had two bishops, five bishops, four bishops one bishop, three bishops, and overseas bishops.
• Having a College or University hasn’t! There are those who are very loyal and those who are not so much.

I could go on, but hopefully you get my drift. So what, in itself, is substantial enough to melt our hearts into one?

The answer seems to me to be the same thing that melted the hearts of Otterbein and Boehm into one. The message! Yes, the message. The message was very clear and straightforward:

• Mankind is spiritually and eternally lost.
• Jesus came to seek and save the lost.
• It is possible to experience Christ in a way that sins are forgiven and there is an assurance of salvation.
• And the result is a life that reflects the image of Christ.

That was the message of Boehm, Otterbein, and the other early leaders of our church. That has been the message of our church over the years. It has been that message and a firm conviction that the message must be told over, and over, and over in churches, barns, stores, factories, farms, offices–literally wherever people are–that have melted our hearts into one.

People have questioned me about the National Conference 2007. Why at Sawmill Resort? Why such little time for business? Why do we need outside speakers? Why a time to call for confession and repentance of corporate sin? Why a gathering like this?

Let me tell you why, in my mind, we need this National Conference. We as a denomination have come through a rough time in our history. The issue of joining with the Missionary Church was a polarizing experience. We actually lost members at my previous pastorate, Mainstreet, because of the debate. Words were said to one another that weren’t very kind, let alone loving. Feelings were hurt. Ministry was set on a shelf in many places while the debate raged. People hurled accusations at each other and questioned motives. But all of this was just spotlighted the lack of unity within the UB Church for a long time.

I don’t know about you, but I would like to have another “Great Meeting” where eyes are bathed in tears and all hearts seem melted into one. This, I believe, is our greatest need–revival, renewal, or whatever term you want to call it. A revival that impels us back into the harvest with urgency about the Gospel message–that man is lost, Christ came to save, you can have an assurance of your salvation, and it will affect the way you live your life. A revival that allows local churches to have freedom in how they unpack that message to their communities.

I realize that this is not 1767 and I have no desire to go back. But in our history, what our forefathers accomplished in this country and around the world because of a common message that melted hearts into one is breath-taking. Could we see that again in our culture? I may be very naïve, but that is what I pray for this National Conference 2007. I pray that we will become United Brethren in more that just name only.