One phrase which struck me powerfully (and hence I need to record it) is the answer to the question of what we can unite around. Not our ecclesiology. Not our theology. But our mission. To quote the speaker: "If you agree with me that people need Jesus, then we can work together." I think that is an excellent phrase to unite around.
It may be that some see Jesus as the only one who can save people from eternal damnation. It may be that some see Jesus as the one who welcomes all people into God's unconditional love. It may be that some believe Jesus is encountered best through bread and wine, and some believe he is encountered best in the service of others. But surely one thing that all Christians can agree on is that people need Jesus. To disagree would be to say that people can cope with life perfectly well without Jesus - which is surely not a Christian viewpoint.
Anyway, the phrase has reminded me what mission is all about. People need Jesus. So what am I doing to help people recognise that need and discover the difference that Jesus can make?
