“How good and pleasant it is when brothers (and sisters) live together in unity! (Psalms 133:1 NIV1984). It is indeed wonderful when everyone has a kindred spirit in Christ, united for one purpose — to serve the Lord.
Divisions can plague a church at any time. It does not matter whether the congregation is large or small, whether it has good standing in the community, or even whether the teaching and preaching are doctrinally sound. Dissensions can still disrupt unity. When conflicts go unresolved, the church’s witness is compromised. Some outsiders lose trust and confidence in a congregation. Others use it to discount Christians, calling them hypocrites. This can reinforce their reasons for avoiding church or distancing themselves from Christians.
Divisions can arise for many reasons — over pastoral leadership, music, new ideas, expenses deemed unnecessary, a majority vote on church direction, or even something as trivial as the color of the carpet or the type of chairs purchased. When the unity of the church is disrupted, Satan is overjoyed. When believers yield to the flesh, fellowship is disrupted, and disharmony follows.
The Bible has much to say about conflict. Regarding leadership in the church, Paul made a plea “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” to the Corinthian believers to “…agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought” (1 Cor. 1:10). He had been informed that there were arguments over who was loyal to which preacher — Paul, Apollos, Cephas, and Christ. Paul set them straight. “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you?” (1 Cor.1:13). Our ultimate loyalty belongs to Jesus Christ — no human leader can take His place.
The type of music played in church still sparks conflict. It shouldn’t. I grew up with the old hymns and loved them, but I also enjoy the new songs. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father, for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph. 5:19-20).
We may not agree on everything said or done, but we can graciously disagree. We can do so in the right way. If someone chooses to leave because of bitterness, anger, or displeasure, that person should not try to influence others through gossip or persuasion. It is sinful to use financial support or cooperation as a means of retaliation, manipulation, or personal revenge. Paul gives a strong warning concerning those who create divisions and place obstacles contrary to apostolic teaching: “I urge you… to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites…” (Rom. 16:17-18).
If one leaves a church over doctrinal disputes, she should do so without confrontation. It should be a matter of utmost prayer. A person may feel led to join a mission church to help as a teacher, pianist, or in any other way that would help them grow in fellowship and unity. That would be pleasing to the Lord.
Paul summarizes the unity of the body of Christ. “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1-3).That is our priority as Christians.
