UNI(formi)TY
(Revelation 7:9–10; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27; Ephesians 4:1–6)
Unity Is Not the Same as Uniformity
Uniformity is not unity. And unity is not uniformity. To this day, it amazes me exactly how much I feel this clarification is needed. I think of it from this, very simple perspective. Not everyone looks the same, worships the same way, or expresses their faith in identical ways, and yet everything that we do, no matter who does it and how they do it, is doing so to the same Lord. We only have “one Lord, one faith, one baptism. One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Eph. 4:5-6 The church was never meant to be uniform. Scripture reveals that diversity within God’s people is not accidental. It’s not even intentional.
It’s eternal.
Different voices, cultures, personalities, and gifts all exist within the same family of faith. What holds that family together is not identical expression but shared allegiance to the same Lord, and when believers gather around Christ, diversity becomes something to celebrate rather than something to fear. Unity grows not when differences disappear but when the church remembers who stands at the center.
The Kingdom Has Always Been Diverse
The vision of heaven shows a multitude of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping before the throne. This is the future God is building, and the design for the Church on earth is meant to emulate what it is in the Heavens. The kingdom of God has always been multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. Diversity is not a modern trend or a social program, and it transcends anything we can comprehend on this side of the Heavens. It is an eternal reality rooted in God’s plan. When the church embraces this truth, diversity is no longer something that needs to be managed or tolerated. It becomes evidence that the gospel is working. God gathers people from every background and forms them into one people who worship Him together. Man’s “wisdom,” in turn, has continued to further the cause that created and continues “the most segregated hour in America.” Things like the homogenous unit principal were well meaning I’m sure, however their entire was growth in a monolithic vacuum that would suggest the opposite of what we see in the Heavens: one nation, one tribe, one people…one language. Something with this simply doesn’t add up and it never will.
Every Part of the Body Matters
Paul describes the church as a body with many parts. Each member has a role to play. No part of the body is unnecessary, and no part can replace another. When one part suffers, the whole body suffers. When one part is honored, the whole body rejoices. This picture shows how unity actually functions. It requires appreciation and celebration of the differences God has placed within His people. Many churches and organizations have a different frame of mind that seeks to appropriate first, looking to capitalize on the things that make a culture great by utilizing parts of them to attract people like them. From there, they pivot into assimilation where they expect those whom they’ve invited into their space to “fall in line” with all of their beliefs and ideals, great and small. Diversity of gifts strengthens the church rather than weakening it. Each person contributes something unique to the life of the body. When believers move from being consumers to contributors, the church becomes healthier and stronger.
Tension Can Lead to Deeper Unity
Diversity does not remove tension. Differences in culture, experience, and perspective naturally create moments of friction. But tension is not always a sign of failure. Often it is an invitation to grow deeper in humility, patience, and love. Scripture calls believers to make every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace Eph. 4:3. That kind of unity requires listening (and not just to respond with your rebuttal…just sayin), humility (that which enables us to be quiet and listen…again, just sayin’), and a willingness to bear with one another. When the church remains centered on Christ, tension becomes an opportunity to mature together rather than divide. Gospel unity does not flatten differences. It transforms them into a powerful testimony of God’s reconciling work.
— Jordan Brown
Pastor (Ministries and Outreach) [OV] Church