BUILDING UP THE BODY: CAPE GIRARDEAU CHURCHES PLAN SERVICE DURING WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHIRSTIAN UNITY

"Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." Ephesians 4:3

The message is simple and clear: Churches, despite their denominational differences, should work together for the good of the Christian faith.

Despite its simplistic message, the spirit of Christian unity is not always easily achieved. It can mean dealing with some tough theological issues.

Churches in Cape Girardeau are invited to an ecumenical prayer service at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 at First Christian Church, 2411 Abbey Road. The service is part of the events planned for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

The Rev. Dr. John Owen, pastor of First Baptist Church, will be the speaker. The theme is "God will dwell within us."

Cape Girardeau has a tradition of cooperation among churches, particularly through its ministerial alliance.

The Rev. Phil Curran, pastor of First Christian Church, said he had seen evidence of churches working together on issues but "we don't always come together for worship or give witness to our unity."

So Curran, whose denomination has a tradition of supporting ecumenical movements, began thinking of ways to develop that unified spirit. He suggested an ecumenical service during the week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Observance of the week begins Monday, which is also the day the nation observes the birthday of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

King, an American Baptist preacher, tried to spread a Christian message of social justice through nonviolent civil rights demonstrations. He also tried to combat racism and segregation in the South.

The two events, despite their similar themes, are not intentionally linked. "But I think there is certainly a call to unity," said the Rev. Brendan Dempsey of First Presbyterian Church. The church will host the Dr. King Jr. community service at 7 p.m. Monday.

"Martin Luther King can sensitize us at the beginning of the week, and then the call to higher unity at the end of the week is certainly important," Dempsey said.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity first began in 1908 in an Episcopal church in New York. It was designed as a way for denominations to set aside their differences as a reminder of their unified goal of spreading the gospel of Christ.

On an international level, the World Council of Churches is also working toward a new approach to spiritual unity in 1999. The council, with 960 delegates from 112 countries, represents one of the broadest Christian umbrella groups.

But it struggles with the alienation of Orthodox churches who feel like "tolerated guests in a group whose feel is Protestant," said the Rev. Konrad Raiser, chief executive of the World Council of Churches.

The main argument of the Orthodox churches is the council's agenda. The Orthodox members think the proceedings are too political and not spiritual enough. They also complain that liberal Pentecostals generally run the show.

Discussions about these problems led to the formation of a pan-Christian Forum that will hold meetings where international Christian leaders could become friends without having to worry about making official announcements.

It gives some leaders the hope that somehow the world's fragmented Christians would make a fresh start at fulfilling Jesus Christ's prayer for his followers in John 17: "that they all may be one."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.