When a Baptist builds, he builds a pulpit and pond

When a Charismatic builds, he builds a platform and band

When an Evangelical builds, he builds crusades

When a Missionary builds, he starts a Bible study

When a Holiness Messenger builds, he builds confessions

When a Social Justice messenger builds, he builds a soup kitchen and night shelter

When a Sacramentalist builds, he builds a liturgy

When a Faith Messenger builds, he builds an offering basket

When a Contemplative builds, he builds a retreat centre

Where are the Fathers and Mothers building homes? Where are the Princes building the Kingdom of God?

This is the challenge, our denominational solo silos and our biases hinder a fuller, more rounded, more temperate expression. I think our loyalties to our preferred emphasis robs us of a fuller, more mature expression.

Paradoxically (and sadly), we villify what we most lack! And suffer experiencing only a slice of the glorious pie that are the riches of Christ.

Evangelicals often grimace at the contemplatives and vice a versa. Healthy (and secure) parents know their kids need other teachers, even other fathers, of a different tribe, to mature them. But I think our insecurities and lack of submission to the unity of the whole, that glorious oneness Christ died for and prayed for in John17 cut us off from the riches of the other 11 tribes. Yes we are tribal according to James 1 but the higher reality is "Hear oh Israel the Lord God is one".

The mature church family is both none of the above and at the same time, all of the above.

A healthy kingdom embassy of Christ, includes these elements, in right balanced proportions. We so love our labels. Jesus died for the oneness of the tribes, we are all from the One Loaf.