Unity doesn't mean Uniformity and Disagreement doesn't mean Division

One of the greatest blessings in my life over the last 10 years has been the close, encouraging relationships that God has given me with other pastors in my town. The past few days I have had the opportunity to enjoy several conversations and interactions with many of my pastor friends, and it has been very refreshing for me.

Sadly, years ago, before I began my ministry in my current church, I was influenced to see other churches and pastors as competitors instead of co-laborers in the Kingdom. I thought I was to celebrate when people joined my church from other local churches, as if I was better or had won some sort of victory over my enemy. If a church in town was struggling, I was encouraged to see that as an opportunity to get some of those folks in my church, instead of praying for that church to heal and be revived. We were taught to "smell blood in the water" and to act accordingly. After all, the bigger the church the more proof that God is at work, right? At least, that is what I thought.

But that was a long time ago, and by God’s grace I no longer think that way. Today my best friends are many of those who pastor other churches in my town, and even are a part of different denominations and have different doctrinal beliefs about secondary issues. We pray together, laugh together, and serve together. We have cried together, shared our burdens and struggles, and walked with each other through the highs and the lows of life and ministry. We even argue and have theological debates from time to time. I have turned to them for advice when I was stuck or confused. I have entrusted the burdens of my heart to them when I was in a crisis, and the only way I could do that was because I trusted them, and I knew that they loved me and would not use my struggle for their gain. And likewise, my brothers have shared those things with me. There is a sweet unity among most of my pastor brothers and among the churches of my town that I have not experienced in any other place that I have served. 

That's why a couple of Sundays ago it was a genuine joy for us as a congregation to fervently pray for the gospel success of not only our local church family, but for the other churches in our town as well. It's why in a couple of weeks over 15 different churches will partner together to reach out to our community with the gospel of Christ in a community-wide outreach event, as well as something called Unite Tonight, which is a youth outreach event with multiple different churches partnering to pull it off. It's why we are able to share resources, hold each other accountable, and enjoy meals together for no other reason than we love one another and truly want THE Church, not only our church, to saturate our town with the gospel of Jesus.

Several days ago I was chatting with a fellow pastor and I shared with him that I was thankful for his church and ministry, which is much different than the one I’m a part of. He asked me if I really meant that. Of course! Not only that, our town needs 50 more churches if we are going to reach our community with the gospel. And if 50 guys moved to town to plant churches, we would pray for them as well, that they would have great gospel fruit in our town, and we would thank God for expanding the gospel witness in our little corner of the world.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. Theology, doctrine, and biblical interpretation are important, and there are some significant differences among us. I happen to think that some of those difference matter a lot, and I also think it is healthy and helpful to talk about them. Sometimes those differences are going to be sharp among believers. But—and this is the thing that I’ve learned—unity doesn't mean uniformity and disagreement doesn't mean division.

I praise the Lord for putting some strong, loving, gospel brothers and fellow pastors in my life as a reminder of the power of the gospel to unify us in the mission. In spite of our differences, I don’t know a single pastor who has made denominational affiliation a test of fellowship. Or a worship style. Or a secondary doctrinal issue. I praise God for this, and I believe this is a much more powerful witness to the gospel in our community than some might believe.

Let me encourage you to pray for your local church, that they would be a gospel-preaching and gospel-going people. Pray that your pastor would long to be a co-laborer instead of a competitor, and that he would have encouraging relationships with the other pastors in his town. And while you are at it, as you drive around your town, every time you pass a church pray for them. Pray for the pastor and the people, and ask the Lord to use that flock to advance the gospel in your town. When you meet a new or old friend for lunch, and the subject of church comes up, don’t say, “You really need to come to my church…we love it!” Instead say, “I’m thankful you are being used of the Lord to advance the Kingdom through your local church. Isn’t it awesome that even though we are different, we are unified in the mission?”

How good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell in unity (Psalm 133:1). Yes, it is.