From a public message on Ecunet about sectarianism, territorialism, and denominationalism:

To: UCCHRIST CHATTER NEWSGROUP
by Rev. Robert Campbell

"Sue, I find this response difficult to write to you, but I feel I must. What I am going to share with you is not easy for me, and so do not think that I say this without some trepidation.

What I am talking about is territorialism. I am working against this issue in my town. People are divided between them and us, their church and my church, etc.

Sharing ministry with other ministers is often impossible because we instill in pastors loyalty to their own particular denomination or church rather than challenge them to break down the barriers of division and consider all the churches as part of the Body of Christ-united despite our petty denominationalism. I certainly do not like what the pastor did, but only because I suspect that he does not consider his ministry as a part of your ministry. Radical relationship, I know.

Churches are also fighting over people for survival rather than uniting to survive. We divide our resources and so starve ourselves. I am reminded of what Jesus said when the Pharisees thought he was Satan casting out demons, and Jesus said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Yet, we take the Body of Christ and divide itself against itself. We are blessed that Jesus exists beyond our ability to work against Jesus.

What I propose is by no means easy. Some of us have firm foundational differences and practices. Some misuse their power and position. Some are so infant in their relationship with God and passing on such an infant relationship to its parish that one hurts for the people. Compassion and understanding is often felt to be pressed to its limits, and I fall on my knees in humility before a God that can love them so-even when they choose to walk in self-destructive ways. Being able and willing to walk in discipleship with and in conjunction with such people is the toughest calling one can respond to.

The attitude presented by the pastor is often the same for the person in the pew. Church members usually have the same territorial attitudes, for they have been taught to believe that. So I know that there is much work to do to change the average church goer. But the place to begin is with one's own church members.

Sue, I did not mean to ramble. But I write to you from my heart about something I saw in your post. My hope is that you might find something in what I say here that may help you grow and move in a direction that the Holy Spirit may direct and move you. If I have offended you, I am truly sorry. My intention was not to offend-only challenge