Expressing Unity - Part 1
by Greg Smith
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Lloyd
In a beloved hymn of the Church of God, these words of invitation and welcome sing out, “We reach our hands in fellowship to every blood-washed one.” This phrase, often referenced in our Church of God teachings and repeated throughout the church’s literature, declares one of the most valued principles of our movement.
Unity.
Such fellowship implies a form of unity that fosters healthy relationships between Christ-followers. But what unity is required to have such fellowship? And, do such boundaries of unity change from one fellowship to the other?
First, some definitions. Unity is not uniformity. Uniformity demands sameness, often at the expense of individuality. Picture a parade ground filled with soldiers in uniform, where uniqueness is removed. Instead, unity is when people come together with a shared purpose while honoring differences. Yet, what is the shared purpose of those who come together in fellowship of the “blood-washed ones”? And, what differences can we honor and still be in fellowship?
In this series, I will draw our attention to three expressions of unity. Unity in the local church of God, unity among other churches of God, and unity among others outside the church of God.
The first begins at the local congregation. What is the purpose of a congregation of the “blood-washed ones”? At the most basic of foundations, the purpose of such a congregation is both simple and not so: make disciples of Jesus Christ. If you will, we are to make little Christs – not seeking to replace Him but to seek transformation in order to become like Him, formed in His image “from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthian 3:18 ESV).
How does one begin to be like Christ?
In 1914, Ernest Shackleton formed an expedition to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent. From the outset, the adventure was fraught with peril as their ship, The Endurance, became stranded in the Weddell Sea (in Antarctica towards South America) only to be crushed and sunk by ice months later. Though they failed to cross Antarctica, the two-year ordeal experienced not one fatality, owing in large part to the courageous and hands-on leadership of Shackleton. At one point, sensing the waning morale of the crew, Shackleton called them to simply follow him. With his consistent, hands-on approach, he set the pace and the example for his crew, dragging sleds, breaking ice, setting up and tearing down the camps – demonstrating his resolve, resilience, and relentless focus. Although it took two years, with its original mission left uncompleted, every one of the twenty-seven crew members made it home successfully. Why?
Because they followed the example of their leader.
How does following the right example apply in the church? Is it that simple? Are we to follow the examples of our leaders? Inasmuch as they follow the example of Christ, yes. “Brothers, join in imitating me and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Philippians 3:17 ESV), Paul pleads. Does that mean a blind following? No! Too many disciples have suffered from following the wrong example. As it is now, so it was then: Paul’s students could only flourish if they followed the One for whom Paul was willing to die (Philippians 1:21, Galatians 2:20, 6:14).
Therefore, unity comes as the focus of every follower – especially the leader – is both following and imitating Christ alone. Too often, the focus of the church is upon the church rather than the Christ, forgetting the key role that purpose plays in true unity: the church exists to make disciples, not build churches. Only Christ can do that (Matthew 16:18).
However, the church has been given Someone who brings far deeper unity than mere example, no matter how excellent that example may be. This deeper unity comes with a common Spirit. Not that the Holy Spirit is common, but that He should be commonly found and treasured among the disciples. Each “blood-washed one” must, by definition, be born-again of the same Spirit, without Whom one cannot enter the Kingdom of our King (Titus 3:4-6, John 3:3-5).
Before we presume too much by insisting that the Holy Spirit is somehow always present in the midst of every church, each should actively look for His Presence. Is He moving? We might sing of such movement, but do we sense the results? Are individual disciples within the church experiencing the fruit of the Spirit? Is there demonstrable evidence of all the attributes of His fruit? Or, not? Do we see gifts of the Spirit active and present in our congregations? Risking the obvious, should we not first seek the Lord in order to find the Lord? (Jeremiah 29:12-14)
As we seek the evidence of God’s Presence in our midst, it follows that unity comes with intent. In other words, we should seek and expect the reality of unity. Yet, what if we don’t see unity? What happens when such expectations are not met?
In the Church of God in Uganda, they have determined a set of values by which they seek to be defined. One of those values speaks directly to the issue of unity: We actively practice unity and actively disagree with disunity. Such disunity can flare up without notice, like a lightning strike on dry tinder. The recent and horrific assassination of notable activist Charlie Kirk is such an example. In the week after, a look at social media reveals what a congregation might be feeling – and the ongoing impact of world events and cultural realities.
In order to seek unity, we must be sensitive to its absence. In view of the local congregation, this is where we often fail. Rather than address disunity, we allow it to remain and fester. No, to practice unity we must “actively disagree with disunity.” This brings an active intentionality as we seek the unity that comes from the presence of the Spirit while actively addressing any evidence of disunity.
I am not suggesting that leaders confront every disagreement, but that we seek unity to the degree that when we sense the presence of disunity, we take the appropriate action. During a hot summer, if the sanctuary warms up, a wise leader will leave the pew and approach the thermostat. Similarly, if the temperature of disunity rises, leaders must do the same. Too often, confronting such needed discussions is put off for too long, hoping that the heat of disunity will take care of itself. Yet, is not the simplest approach through the simplest of questions? In the disunity of the moment, what can we do to affect the purpose of this church? The purpose of making disciples!
In the local church of God, we have discussed four approaches to unity:
· Remember the purpose of the local church: make disciples of Jesus Christ.
· Ensure that all – especially leaders – are encouraged to follow His example.
· Each of the “blood-washed ones” looks for the active Presence of the Holy Spirit.
· All – again, especially leaders, take ready action in the presence of disunity.
Oftentimes, disunity comes from distractions that take our attention away from the purpose of the local church. What those distractions might be, I will address in part 2.
Greg Smith is a husband, father, grandfather, leader, and a recovering rebel — now a child of God. He is also the Pastor of East Canton Church of God, in East Canton, Ohio.