From Many to ONE:The Path to Unity in the Church

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

By Rev. Tsuker Yang

Hmong UMC:

Feeling disconnected!

Our “dis-connectionalism”

Dis-connectionalism = Division

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Hmong UMC:Agree or Disagree?1. There is dis-connectionalism within our Hmong UMC: local church, Wis. Hmong Caucus and National Hmong Caucus2. There is dis-connectionalism within in our Hmong leadership: between pastors and leaders3. There is dis-connectionalism in our practice of ministry (e.g., worship, sacraments, singings, wedding, funeral, etc.)

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in the church is a must for today’s ministryAgree or Disagree?1. Many Christians are uncertain with current issues: homosexuality, same sex marriage, immigration/refugees, homeless/poverty2. Many people left the church or stop going to church for reason of hostile relationship and division in the church3. Division gives birth to barriers for effective ministry, witness and proclamation of the Gospel.

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in the church is a must for today’s ministryAgree or Disagree?

4. Unity is our greatest strength and most powerful witness for the advancement of making disciples of Jesus Christ…5. Unity creates healthy/vital congregation and effective ministries

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Our thought for this workshop

The church is not bullet proof for division, butit is Christ proof for unity.

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Our thought for this workshopWe can’t prevent difference of opinions and matter of practices and non-essential tenets in the church (in fact, we are to respect them), but we can help people growing in their walk with Jesus Christ. Unity can be achieved when we have Christ as our center in life. Unity makes easier when we grow or are transformed from membership to discipleship.

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Division in the church frequently happens if… Membership privilege & entitlement Leadership spiritually immature Activities/events focus Internal focus Individual focus (as opp to Christ-centered) No clear expectation…Thus, chaos, confusion and frustration give rise to division

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

The Path to UnityThe Power of One Unity = Oneness (one body) Two become one is better than one and one Two become one is powerful more effective ministry for allThe four essential components of unity:Unity (Oneness) is the Power of Ministry for All

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

The Power of One Nehemiah – Building of the new temple Esther 4:16f – Fasting and prayers together Acts 2 -- Prayers on the Day of Pentecost Acts 12:1-17 – Prayers and the deliverance of Peter from prison Others: Genesis 11:3-6

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

The Four Components of Unity

Oneness/What?Power/Why?

Ministry/How?

All/Who?

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Oneness/What?Unity in Spirit

Unity in faith/doctrines

Unity in purpose

Unity in diversity

Unity in practice

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in SpiritPhilippians 2:1-2Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and of one mind.

Ephesians 4:3-43 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called

Oneness/What?Unity in Spirit

Unity in faith/doctrines

Unity in purpose

Unity in diversity

Unity in practice

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in Faith/DoctrinesEphesinas 4:4-64 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,who is over all and through all and in all.

Orthodoxy vs. ApostasyGuard against errors and infidels

Essentials/Orthodoxy

Trinitarian doctrine (e.g., Apostles’ Creed) The sacraments (Mt. 28:19-20, 1 Cor. 11:23-26) The greatest commandments (Mk. 12:30-31) The great commission (Mt. 28:18-20) The Scriptures (OT & NT) (2 Tim 3:16-17, 2 Pet 1:20)

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Regardless of the style of worship, the manner of baptism or the way they dress all Christians hold to these 12 points.

1.I believe in God the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.2.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.3.He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.4.Under Pontius Pilate, He was crucified, died, and was buried.5.He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again.6.He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.7.He will come again to judge the living and the dead.8.I believe in the Holy Spirit,9.the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints,10.the forgiveness of sins,11.the resurrection of the body,12.and the life everlasting.   Amen.

Oneness/What?Unity in Spirit

Unity in faith/doctrines

Unity in purpose

Unity in diversity

Unity in practice

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in PurposeActs 1:88 ”But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Matthew 28:18-2018 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

What is the purpose of your church? How have you achieve it?UMC – “To make (new)disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world.”

United Methodist Women?

Your local church? Why and how?

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Oneness/What?Unity in Spirit

Unity in faith/doctrines

Unity in purpose

Unity in diversity

Unity in practice

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in DiversityRomans 14:1, 13Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarreling over disputable matters… 13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

Ephesians 4:7,11-12,167 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it… 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up… 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Oneness/What?Unity in Spirit

Unity in faith/doctrines

Unity in purpose

Unity in diversity

Unity in practice

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity in Practices1 Corinthians 11:23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Acts 15: Council of JerusalemJews and Greek Christians

What practices of ministry do you think you (we) have achieved in unity? What practices of ministry we have not?

Consider…--Worship--Sacraments--Confirmation--Membership--Fund raising--Singing, etc.

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

The Four Components of UnityOneness/What?

Power/Why?

Ministry/How?

All/Who?

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Power/Why?United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Blessing

Vital Congregati

on

EffectiveMinistries

Strengthin

Witness

God’s Kingdo

m Realize

d

Bearing Fruit of the Spirit:Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control

Growing and excitement:Uplifting, enthusiasm, felt need satisfied, nourished, sense of purpose, active, self-supporting Getting involved:

Variety of programs/classes to meet all needs of all level. Growing in discipleship and going on to perfection

Mission & Leadership focus:Strong leadership and witness and mission programs. New people are joining the church continously

Many races, languages, walks of life--all feel as one and accepted

The Four Components of UnityOneness/What?

Power/Why?

Ministry/How?

All/Who?

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Ministry/How?

The Path to

UNITY

Christ Centered Question/Life

Policy Developme

nt

Discipleship

Pathway

SharedMinistrie

s

Edification Rule of Thumb

What does Jesus want me to do for this situation? How does God want me to act?

Policies will help you make decision and task delegation. Policy can help reduce conflict and overlapping responsibility

Foundational classes, groups and fellowship for discipleship, both practical and theological ground

Programs, activities, events, trainings, ministry tools and materials (e.g., camping, training, song books, etc.)

Ro. 14:19, Eph. 4:29, 1 Thes. 5:11

Unity is power of ministry for all. More importantly, it is a process of discipleship development. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ and in the knowledge of God, unity is possible (Eph. 4:12b-13)11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

All/Who?

The Path to

UNITY

Pastors

Leaders

MembersLocalCommunity

World16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work (Eph. 4:16).

“The world is my parish.” --John Wesley

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Imagine possibilities if we are united…in Jesus Christ--Membership, new members, attendance--Ministries, numbers/kinds, effectiveness--Mission, projects, involvement--Budget, stewardship--New facility--Our community/the world--NHC--Leadership, discipleship, new church starts, etc.

A Review: The Four Components of UnityOneness/What?Power/Why?Ministry/How?All/Who?

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Unity (Oneness) is the Power of Ministry for All

United, Not Divided in ChristWisconsin Hmong Caucus

The Path to

UNITY

Q & AComments… If any?