Definition
The unity of the church refers to the union of the people of God, in all their various distinctives and expressions, bound to God and to one another by the gospel.
Summary
The unity of the church is to be a reflection of the unity of the one God upon which the church is built. The ideal (unity) and the real (division) do not always match up in the life of the church. A biblical theology of unity reveals a richer and deeper understanding of unity than mere uniformity, but it also holds out the goal of visible unity towards which Christians should aspire. The model of church unity presented in Scripture is a unity-in-diversity which protects it on one side from an over-reliance on human hierarchies but also from too great of an emphasis upon human autonomy.
Videos
The Gospel Is the Foundation for Christian Unity
H. B. Charles Jr.—pastor of Shiloh Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida, and TGC Council member—explains how the gospel proclaimed and lived out provides lasting means of reconciliation and unity.
Brian Davis on Disagreements in the Church over Racial Issues
Brian Davis explores numerous passages of Scripture on how to maintain unity in the church body in light of racial tensions and hurts.
Podcasts
Articles
When Godly People Disagree: Lessons from Acts 15
Divisions between Christians are nothing new; they began in the New Testament.
Black and White Together: An Unusual Church Merger in Iowa
“People are interacting with people they never would have before,” New City Church pastor Rod Dooley said. “In the first few months, it wasn’t uncommon to have grown men from both churches coming up to us after the service with tears in their eyes, saying, ‘This is so great.’”
Dysfunctional Elders Make a Dysfunctional Church
Until members see humility and unity among their leaders, they likely won’t exhibit those qualities themselves.
The FAQs: United Methodists Propose a Plan to Split Their Denomination
The United Methodist Church has proposed a plan to split. Here’s why that matters for American Christianity.
Avoiding Disunity amid Difficult (Coronavirus) Decisions
Now is not the time for contentious debate in our churches. Now is the time for unity.
Giving Thanks Is a Community Project
Thanksgiving doesn’t just whisper. Thanksgiving shouts.
