The Need For Church Unity
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by: Guest
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Word Count: 649
One of the signs that apostasy is affecting the Christian Church is the bickering and disunity among Christians.
Every wise leader strives to achieve and keep unity because he knows unity is essential for success.
Whether the leader is a pastor and leader of a congregation, or a denominational leader trying to keep many congregations healthy, these leaders realize success will never be reached without unity.
Unfortunately it is not just members that cause the problems but leaders as well.
All the problems were the result of fighting and quarreling.
I have heard pastors say some very harsh and hurtful things to church members, words that drove the people away.
At no time during these confrontations could the pastor honestly say, "I love this person".
As leader of the denomination I used the theme, "Loving God and Loving Each Other" and consistently reminded the leadership that if only we lived that theme everything would work for the glory of God.
I was the second leader in this particular denomination that felt the need to leave because of false statements and opposition.
I know the same denomination still suffers from conflicts, and also suffers financially because the opposition has caused some pastors to encourage their churches to withhold support to the denomination.
It is all due to lack of love and unity!
The apostle Paul also recognized the value of unity.
Paul warned his friends of opponents, suffering, and conflict soon to come.
Paul expressed his concern with these words, "I appeal to you brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought".
These divisions had shattered the unity of the local congregation and created dissension.
Paul's goal in his writing is found in the first sentence where Paul urges them to resolve their differences and restore unity in their Church fellowship.
Yet far too many Christians use these non-essential differences as justification for division or to even insight anger.
When pride fills our heart we lose the humility that is needed to bring unity.
The Apostle Paul in writing to the Philippians made a threefold appeal to unity.
United in Purpose: Groups succeed when the members agree on their purpose and work together to achieve it.
Paul challenged the Philippians to unite in their purpose.
He exhorted them to behave in such a way that credit came to the gospel instead of discredit.
Upholding the gospel should unite any congregation.
This does not refer to the Holy Spirit, but rather to their attitude.
This reflects not only unity of purpose, but also unity of heart.
Charles Swindoll tells the story of two declining congregations in a small town that had been struggling for several years.
The result was that the people were too petty to accomplish this purpose.
One group wanted "forgive us our trespasses", while the other wanted "forgive us our debts".
Sadly, many congregations are like these two.
United in Action: Paul challenged the Philippians to strive "side by side".
In team sports the members of the team have to help each other or they are sure to lose.
A missionary told of a village in Africa where a little child wandered away from home as was lost in the tall grass.
The next morning they formed a line, joined hands, and walked through the tall grass side-by-side.
In her grief the mother cried, "if we had only held hands longer".
When they share a common purpose, display a common attitude, and act in unison, the gospel will be upheld, people will be saved, and God will be glorified.
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