Hello Garris, My name is Ross Wootan and I live in Albany Oregon. I agree with your comment that there is a need to leave behind what seems productive now, but will not carry us into the future….. Below is a short paper I wrote with a similar theme.

PREPARING THE BRIDE
UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST
To address the issue of unity we must take an honest look at the manmade things we have created in the church that divide us and compare them with scripture, and what can be gleaned from scripture in terms of unity.
Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it.”
Katherine Fullerton Gould states “Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life.”
Sadly, much of man’s attempts to structure God’s church have rendered it complicated, divided, and inefficient. In essence we have a systemic problem in which we try to apply biblical function within an unbiblical form. However, there are some things we can glean from scripture that give us a look at the proper form and functioning of unity. Some are direct quotes from scripture concerning unity and others are a fresh way of looking at certain passages, and still others are models we can see in scripture.
Manmade denominations are not found in scripture and are one of the structures we have created that conflict with scripture. While many think denominations are good or represent the Body of Christ that is not so. People are the Body of Christ and in embracing denominations we have traded God’s best for what we perceive as good. In contrast to denominations Paul’s Epistles to the churches, which are a model, were always addressed to the church in a geographical location. His letters were then circulated to the various fellowships that met in that area. The church in a particular area was always seen as “one.” Also, in the book of Revelation Jesus addressed the churches by geographical location. The church in a location was “one.”
John 17: 20-21 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You Father, are in Me and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”
Leo Tolstoy states: “There is no greatness where there is not simplicity.”
Form should follow function and in God’s Biblical structure of church we find a form and function that is both simple and efficient.
2Cor 5:18 states;” Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” While this scripture does not address unity directly, a fresh look at it may create a paradigm shift in our thinking that can enhance unity. Currently we talk about “my ministry” “our ministry” “their ministry” “your ministry”. It seems to be all about us. Yet, if we look at it as being privileged to be part of HIS MINISTRY of Reconciliation it can be a freeing and unifying shift in thinking. It rids us of competition, jealousy, and divisions. The cross was the ultimate act of reconciliation and we are privileged to participate in that ministry. Let us consider ourselves to be one under HIS umbrella of reconciliation and embrace the unity that comes from the paradigm shift in our thinking.
Another division that needs to be addressed is the clergy/laity divide in the church that must be looked at in the light of scripture. Luther’s Reformation brought some needed changes to the church, but it failed to adequately address the hierarchal structure that we still function under.
Mark 15:37-38 “And Jesus cried out with a loud voice and breathed His last. Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” This passage is typically seen as symbolic of salvation due to Jesus’ finished work on the cross. However, there is more to it and we must look at who could enter the “Holy of Holies” prior to that. The High Priest was the only one allowed to enter before that, but with the tearing of the veil all followers of Jesus may enter in. All are ministers. It is a priesthood of all believers.
We’ve all heard the term “divide and conquer” and by borrowing church form and structure from worldly structures (military and business) we have given ourselves another division. The hierarchal form has created division and not allowed us to be a fully functioning, united body. Leadership, the five-fold ministry and others called to lead, have been given a job description to “equip the saints for works of service.” It is not about titles, offices or having authority over others. It is more about organic function than top-down hierarchal form. Believers who are called and have those spiritual skill sets come alongside other believers and equip them.
Matt 20: 25-26 “You know the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant.”
The system has put way too much responsibility and burden on one person (usually the pastor) and relegated the rest of the body to be an audience. But, from a scriptural standpoint, all are ministers and participate in the “Ministry of Reconciliation.” Leaders are godly people working very hard in an out-of-balance system. Hence, the high rate of burnout.
Jesus sent His Holy Spirit so all believers (ministers) can echo His quoting of Isaiah “The Spirit of the Lord is upon us, because He has anointed us to preach the gospel to the poor, He has sent us to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed; to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
God has used the flu pandemic to get us out of our buildings so he can reform and redefine His church. The church is not buildings or denominations but people. The church is the Body of Christ with Him as our head. He is our individual and corporate covering. There is no other.
God is very practical, and form should follow function; a biblical form that distributes kingdom labor and function across the entire Body of Christ. The Holy Spirit and His gifting have been given to the Body of Christ for that purpose. It is time to come humbly before The Lord and ask Him how He would reform His Church so that the Body of Christ is united and functioning properly. Only a united functioning Body of Christ will prevail against the gates of hell, and only a united functioning Body of Christ can minister to the great harvest that many believe is coming.
Luke 10:2 “The harvest is truly great, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into His harvest.”

Ross Wootan
3/5/2021