UNITY IS POSITIVE
Unity is positive, practical Christianity. That is my favorite answer to the question "What is Unity?" Often, I
will ask the questioners if they have ever heard of Norman Vincent Peale or his book, The Power of Positive
Thinking. I had the good fortune of being his chauffeur for a day in 1978, while I was in Ministerial School. When
he found out where I attended, he told me that he greatly admired the writings of Unity's cofounder, Charles
Fillmore, and that they had influenced his book. Peale said that he had spoken at the dedication of the new
auditorium at Unity headquarters in 1972.
In 1989, he returned there to dedicate the new prayer ministry building, and said: "I have been spiritually fed
by this place for many, many years. I am glad to acknowledge the debt of gratitude I owe to Unity for my own
spiritual insights and growth, and for the help it has given me in my ministry over many year's. It has helped me
in preaching, in writing and in dealing with individuals. I have a great respect and regard for the Fill mores.
Unity ministers are leading people to higher levels of consciousness. Unity has related mind to the spiritual life.
It teaches people to think their way into understanding and newness of life." .
Charles Fillmore was a positive person with a sense of humor. Ten years ago a friend of mine interviewed the
owner of the Kansas City Royals baseball team. His first job, as a boy, was as deliverer of laundry, and Fillmore
was his favorite customer, because each time a package of laundry was delivered, Fillmore would tell him a
joke-some of which were surprising coming from a religious leader!
Unity, being positive, focuses on answers, on results, on solutions. It teaches that God is a present force for
good in our lives through which all things will turn out well, if we will practice spiritual principles.
Copyright Rev. Gregory Barrettte 1993
|