The Disciples in the region known as the Capital Area (D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia, and Delaware) own a campground near Antietam, Maryland.  I always was amused by the name of a church we drove past on our way to take our sons to church camp.  Sitting maybe seventy-five yards off the road, surrounded by a lot of open space was the Battlefield Bible Church.  Maybe the name reflected the location, or perhaps, they just were honest about who they were.

There were times we drove by the church when there was a chain across the end of the driveway leading to the parking lot -- just two little poles and a chain.  No fence or other barrier interfered with the possibility of simply driving around the poles and the chain onto church property.  But still, the message was clear:  Keep out!

According to news reports, today two factions referring to themselves as part of  "America's other Baptists" "will worship together for the first time."  "It is an effort to celebrate our common heritages as Baptist Christians and to affirm our commitment to work together more collaboratively," said the Rev. Daniel Vestal, national coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. "The Baptist witness is much richer and more nuanced than is characterized so often in the public square now."

It's been a long time coming.  Issues of theology, doctrine, race, and politics have been allowed to keep these Christians from fellowship within a common faith tradition and heritage.  Despite our penchant for seeking Christian unity, we Disciples are in no position to cast aspersions.  Our original American frontier Restoration Movement has broken into at least three distinct groups.  Who are we to disparage Baptists for their divisions?

The separation and alienation of Christians surely weaken our witness to the love of Christ.  We may laugh at the irony of a church name like Battlefield Bible Church, but it is laughter we hope will disguise our embarrassment, shame and spiritual pain.