Critics of Restoration churches usually accuse us of two sins; working for our salvation and self-righteousness. Although conservative Stone-Campbell congregations and conservative Anabaptist groups hold the same theology and salvation doctrine, rarely is the charge of self-righteousness (pride) brought against our Mennonite brothers. Why? They cherish humility. Pride is an anathema to them and their church culture finds it intolerable. We have many times fostered an environment which facilitates arrogance. Pride does not lead to unity, humility does.

After spending a short time in proximity to an Anabaptist population (mostly Mennonite and Amish) I was impressed and challenged by their lack of pretense. Their children were full of respect, like their parents. They were courteous, warm and would not be drawn into doctrinal arguments. (They would discuss doctrine, but not argue it.) Their focus was on righteousness living (to love [obey] God) and service (to love their neighbors as themselves). I am not saying they are perfect, but we would do well to take note of their lives and faith.

What about the Restoration Movement (RM)? We certainly have our strengths in our Bible study and desire for doctrinal purity among other characteristics. However, our strengths can also lead to our weakness as we determine our interpretation of scriptures to be the absolute and final reading. Ambiguity does not sit well with us and our faith does not allow for anything but a black or white answer. Revisiting principles and peripheral doctrine stirs fear in our hearts. We leave ourselves open to those who would take advantage of the scriptures and find some obscure passage we are not implementing and hold it as a banner of separation. Our history is littered with divisions over our inability to love one another more than loving being right.

The core of much of our difficulty to grow beyond this lies in our pride. Proverbs 13:10 Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. We argue and accuse because we are not surrendered to God, but to our opinions. Our internal verbal melees makes us poor ambassadors of Christ. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

Certainly we can hold opinions, but it is the heart that is at issue. Can we surrender our opinion? Can we think more highly of someone else than ourself? We had better learn.
Philippians 2
 1If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
 6Who, being in very nature God,
      did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
 7but made himself nothing,
      taking the very nature of a servant,
      being made in human likeness.
 8And being found in appearance as a man,
      he humbled himself
      and became obedient to death—
         even death on a cross!
 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
      and gave him the name that is above every name,
 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
      in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord,
      to the glory of God the Father.

Until we can grasp these fundamental examples of Christ unity will prove allusive. The RM will not attract new converts to Jesus but frustrate and hinder them. Let us decide to repent and capture the heart of Philippians 2.