Birmingham-area churches experience Pentecost 2000

Christians profess to love God, yet they do not love their fellow man and refuse to work together, according to a theology professor who spoke in Birmingham during a gathering of churches from across north and central Alabama.
   
Father Walter Burghardt of Washington, D.C., a processor of historical theology for 32 years at Woodstock College in Washington, made his observations during “Pentecost 2000 Jubilee.” Held June 11 at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex, the event included a variety of singers, dancers and other performers from many denominations who came together to praise God as one family of faith. The Birmingham Baptist Association and several Birmingham-area Baptist churches participated in the multidenominational event.
   
“It was an opportunity to worship with folks of other denominations, but of one faith,” said Peggy Sanderford, associate pastor for Christian Growth at Southside Baptist Church, Birmingham. “Our belief systems are different, but we’re united in our faith in one God.”
   
That unity was evident among the several thousand participants represented by nine major denominations — Baptist, Methodist, Church of Christ, Christian Church, Catholic, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Greek Orthodox and Lutheran. But “Pentecost 2000 Jubilee” also featured a multicultural flavor with everything from a mariachi band from Birmingham’s Hispanic community to African drums and singing by members of African-American churches.
   
Amid the music and dancing, Burghardt tackled tough issues in his keynote address.
   
Burghardt said Christians should ask, “Do I love God above all else and then do I love my brothers and sisters as God loves them?”
   
He asserted people do not have a problem with the commandment to love God, but the problem lies in our relationships with others. Racism is still rampant in America he said, citing more than 250 hate sites on the Internet.
   
His message continued with reminders Christians are still divided in the religious community.
   
“We are not one in doctrine but it is our sacred obligation to act as brothers and sisters,” Burghardt said. “Doctrine divides but service unites. What we dare not do is act as competitors. If we Christians could get our act together, we’d be dangerous.”
   
Burghardt’s address was preceded by a display symbolizing unity among denominations. As the Jubilee Orchestra played “Lift High the Cross,” a  procession of 92 ministers filed into the arena marching two by two, led by Bill Valekis of the Holy Trinity-Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Cathedral carrying the cross and Fisher Humphreys of Beeson Divinity School carrying the Bible.
   
Throughout the group were other ministers bearing banners proclaiming community, resurrection, evangelism, conversion and reconciliation. After the processional, the banners were placed around a fountain of dancing waters located in the center of the arena.
   
Pre-event festivities began with Covenant Ringers, a  six-octave handbell choir from Shades Valley Presbyterian Church, Birmingham. They were followed by the children’s choir from Shades Crest Baptist Church, also from Birmingham.
   
Also performing were singers Al and Passion Lewis, a husband and wife team from Birmingham; dancers from the Birmingham School of Celtic Arts; dancers from Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Birmingham and a host of other artists displaying their talents in praise of God.
   
During his address, Burghardt also defined the difference in God’s justice and man’s justice and what God’s justice demands of His followers.
   
“Human justice is when we give someone what he deserves,” Burghardt said. “God’s Word raises justice to a new level which can be summed up by fidelity.”
   
Fidelity is demanded not only in human relationships but that God also requires fidelity to the earth, according to Burghardt. He quoted, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof” (Psalm 24:1). Although fidelity to the earth is somewhat a newcomer to the Christian scene, reverential care of the earth is a part of our Christian duty.
   
The service concluded with a call for Jubilee justice as the audience prayed in unison for forgiveness and joined hands throughout the arena to sing “Make Us One.”