My Views on Unity in the Church
What follows is the Statement on Unity I wrote for my former church, adopted for this page, as it represents my personal philosophy regarding unity in the Body of Christ.
When it comes to doctrinal disagreements, I strongly believe in the adage: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” By following this approach, my goal is to avoid compromise on essential Gospel truths and allow for freedom regarding other non-essential matters.
In Essentials, Unity
I believe that when it comes to the essential elements of the Christian faith—the core truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ—all believers should stand united in their common faith. Even when Christians disagree on non-essential doctrines, they should still receive and treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, even if those differences are significant enough that it would not be mutually edifying for them to regularly attend the same fellowship (Romans 15:7; Ephesians 4:1-6).
Those who deny the essential elements of the Gospel reject the Christian faith itself, making themselves unbelievers and separating themselves from the united body of Christ. True believers are called to separate from false believers—those who profess faith but deny the Lord by rejecting the true Gospel in favor of a false one (Galatians 1:6-9; 2 John 1:9-11). In such cases, it is not the true believers who create division; rather, division is created by the false believers who have separated themselves from the truth and the true body of Christ (1 John 2:19).
In Non-Essentials, Liberty
When Church leaders insist on doctrinal conformity regarding non-essential matters – whether explicitly or through implicit expectations – it often results in unnecessary division and forces people to step away in order to remain faithful to their convictions. This kind of dogmatic approach to doctrine can also unnecessarily destroy unity in individual Christian relationships. As such, I believe Church leaders – and all believers – should practice liberty when it comes to disagreements over non-essential matters. This means:
- Avoiding the Elevation of Non-Essential Doctrines – Churches should not require leaders or members to affirm positions on doctrines that are not essential to the Christian faith.
- Fellowship and Respect – Christians who hold to the essentials of the Gospel but have differences on non-essential matters should still receive and treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ (Romans 14:1-3). No believer should be disfellowshipped, ostracized, demeaned, or rebuked simply for having a different opinion on a non-essential issue.
- Avoiding False Accusations – No one should be labeled a wolf in sheep’s clothing, false teacher, false prophet, heretic, or false believer simply for holding a different view on a non-essential doctrine (Romans 14:4,10,13).
- Loving Dialogue – When discussing non-essential matters, believers should speak to one another with love and respect (Ephesians 4:29, 32).
- Prioritizing Unity Over Division – While theological discussions are valuable, believers should focus on what unites them in Christ rather than fixating on differences (Romans 14:19; Philippians 2:1-2).
That said, non-essential matters are not unimportant. Many such issues have significant implications for the life and practice of the Church and the effectiveness of individual believers in advancing God’s Kingdom. Therefore:
- Every believer should seek the guidance of Scripture and the leading of the Holy Spirit in discerning the truth about these matters (2 Timothy 2:15; John 16:13).
- It is appropriate for elders to teach on non-essential matters, and for believers to discuss and respectfully debate these topics in pursuit of greater understanding (Acts 17:11; Proverbs 27:17).
- Mature believers are free to hold strong convictions and defend their views with Scripture, but they must do so with love, humility, and fairness, allowing room for disagreement without treating their opinions as essential Gospel truths (Colossians 3:12-14, Mark 7:7-9, 1 Corinthians 2:2, Galatians 6:14).
In All Things, Charity
Charity (sacrificial love) is essential in every doctrinal disagreement, and two key principles deserve special emphasis:
- Assuming the Best – We should always assume the best about our fellow believers’ intentions (1 Corinthians 13:7). Unless there is credible evidence of unrighteous motives, we should extend grace and give others the benefit of the doubt.
- Engaging Fairly – We should strive to accurately represent the views of others, ensuring we do not mischaracterize or distort their positions. Furthermore, we must never resort to personal attacks in disagreements (Philippians 2:3, Romans 12:10, Ephesians 4:2, Colossians 3:9, James 3:13-14, 17-18).
By practicing liberty in non-essentials and charity in all things, my desire is to honor Christ, strengthen His body, and uphold the unity of the faith while remaining firmly grounded in the truth of the Gospel. See my Statement of Beliefs page for more on what I consider to be essential and non-essential doctrines.