Today, I had the privilege of attending the Emmaus gathering. Every time I participate in any Emmaus-related event, I am reminded of the beauty of community. We come from all ages and backgrounds, attending churches of different denominations. I’m sure we have varying beliefs on issues such as politics or some of the controversial topics in churches like music. Yet, when we come together, it is all about edifying and encouraging each other. It’s absolutely beautiful. I’ve never experienced unity in the body of Christ quite like I have at Emmaus, given the diversity of people and backgrounds. It’s amazing how we can be so different, yet in all the ways that matter, we are exactly the same.

Not only do we stand unified, but we also edify each other. It’s all about showing love towards one another, serving each other, showing concern, praying for one another, grieving with each other, and celebrating each other’s victories. One of the comments you often hear from pilgrims who have been on the walk is that they have never experienced the love of God like they have at Emmaus. I wholeheartedly agree, and it doesn’t end with the weekend; it continues into all our fourth days, every day for the rest of our lives.

I am not exalting Emmaus itself because the reason it is so wonderful is that it is Christ-centered. Even more than that, it is centered on a life of discipleship and servanthood. It is all about living as Christ lived and demonstrating God’s love to everyone around us, including each other. So, we give glory to God, not to the experience. We understand that the reason it works is that we have all submitted to what God is asking of us. Essentially, the good in it is because God is in it.

As a believer who has served the Lord since I was eight and attended churches from every denomination (nondenominational, Assembly of God, United Methodist, Presbyterian, Evangelical, Church of God, Baptist, Pentecostal, Catholic), I can tell you that there is a sense of community within each denomination but not across denominations. It’s as if some denominations think they are the only ones who have it right, like they will have a special place in heaven. I’ve even heard jokes about how some will be surprised to see people from other denominations in heaven. It’s sad. That’s not the way God intended it to be.

There’s something incredibly special about an organization that brings all God’s people together, making denominations irrelevant. The differences disappear. It’s powerful to think that it doesn’t matter if we are Baptist, Presbyterian, or Pentecostal; all that matters when we worship together is that we belong to Christ. This reminds me of the scripture where Paul addresses the people, saying that they were claiming to belong to Paul or Cephas. Paul said that we don’t follow people (denomination or pastor); we follow Christ.

So, I would argue that as a Christian community, we should stop identifying ourselves by our denominations and instead say, “I belong to Christ.” The truth is, when we worship in heaven, we will all worship together as one. I’m excited that there will be so many of us from varied churches and denominations, all praising our one Lord together. That’s how we stand in unity. We must put aside ourselves and our ideals and instead promote Christ and Him crucified as all that matters. We choose to show love and serve each other as Christ served His disciples and all people, even though He was so much greater.

We need to return to a place of community because that’s where the power lies. It’s the body of Christ working together to build the Kingdom of God. That’s what He’s called us to do, not to build our denominations or our own kingdoms and ideas.

I praise God for showing me this little piece of heaven on earth, where a Christian community loves and serves each other without the hateful divisions that denominations have created. And yes, I don’t think division is good. I understand that people have doctrinal concerns and different worship styles, so we might have different gathering places to worship. What I don’t understand is the idea that we could hate our brother over matters such as the way we take communion, how we baptize, or how we worship. When did it become about these practices or traditions? Do these things save us? No, heaven forbid, we are saved by Christ and His sacrifice alone.

I’m advocating that we lay down our arms and stop seeing ourselves as divided. We need to understand that we are called to live in unity with each other. The same beauty and strength in unity that I have experienced at Emmaus could be realized in all our churches if we would just lay down our arms against each other, stop drawing lines in the sand where they should not exist, and instead link hands and stand together as we walk forward as disciples of Christ. As those willing to lay down their lives for Christ. Those same people that Christ said would be known by their love are waiting for us to demonstrate true love and unity. Can we honestly say that’s how they know we’re Christians, or is it just from a sticker on our car, a cross around our neck, or the sign on our church building?

Let’s get back to it, church. Let’s be the community that God called us to be. Let’s be the body of Christ, diverse in its parts, giftings, and functionality, with every piece working together to thrive and live. All of us working together to build a Kingdom of God that doesn’t have denominational signs at the head of it, with the only label being God’s Kingdom. It’s His and His alone. One Lord, and one body to serve Him. Unified!

Scriptures: 1 Cor. 1:10, Eph. 4:1-6, Phil. 2:3, 1 Cor. 1:10-17