In faith there is both up and down,
both sideways, front and back;
but going forward is the one
direction that we lack.

The boldly onward way of faith
has lost its middle ground,
and now become a cath'lic clique
wherein the pure are found.

All other paths have wandered off,
or so their preachers say,
for they alone hold all the truth
that saves one going astray.

But it is not just "Forward in Faith"
that brings us to our knees;
for at the other end we find
the "Alpha" devotees.

Thrust in our face at every turn,
they claim that in a week
we'll have the gift of many tongues,
including koine Greek.

But that's as far as this path goes;
there's praise but no "Amen!",
for as the closing meal is done,
they sign-up once again!

So, stuck between such two extremes,
the middling church plods on;
in city, village, hamlet, town,
she sings this heartfelt song:

"Come, leave your high and lowly ground!
Step out into the plain;
and sit with us upon the fence,
the spikes will cause no pain!

From here we see that many roads
lead onwards to our home;
no matter if their starting point
was Canterb'ry or Rome.

Let's walk together down the path,
what e'er our stance may be;
we all believe in Jesus Christ:
the Truth that sets us free!"

©Pharisaios Publications 2001

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