Luther tells me in my inner voice that the US’s 20,000 + denominations may be evidence that we may all have our own scripture “canon” and don’t take faith unity as seriously as clergy perks and prestige. And seeing-thru-dim-lenses Paul says I should pray for love and prophecy. And Watchman Nee says the Spirit is training me. And experience teaches me that God can call me and fellowships can choose to not commission me. And Bonhoeffer teaches me that a nation’s churches can be co-opted by a despot. And John wrote “blessed are those beheaded for the gospel”. And a spiritual gifts inventory tell me that Jesus wants me to take up my cross daily, because — like the prophets of old — living out his message will likely get me killed for being what militaristic nationalistic churchianity considers a pacifistic pain in the *ss. And the Spirit says expressly: “You were created for this”. Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner.
