Merging for the sake of the gospel

Justin Taylor has this round-up of news and links relating to an extraodinary story here in South Florida -- the calling of Tullian Tchividjian (Billy Graham's grandson) to replace D. James Kennedy as senior pastor of Coral Ridge Presbyterian, and the merger of Coral Ridge and New City Church, the church Tchividjian planted. It's extraordinary for a number of reasons, one being the huge difference in style between these two churches, another being the fact that they come from two different denominations. In the alphabet soup of American Presbyterianism it's refreshing to see a move that enhances unity instead of promoting further division. From all appearances this looks like a case of elders and laypeople setting aside personal preferences for the furtherance of the gospel. I'm sure they will need much prayer in the days ahead to make this work.


UPDATED: here's a brief video from our local newspaper.