“In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” –Augustine
A fundamental ingredient to successful church growth and health is unity. A unified church will receive the blessing of God, have success in spiritual battles, see powerful results in prayer, and fulfill God-given vision.
But unity does not come naturally. It has to be cultivated, starting with the leadership team. Here are five attitudes that will promote unity on the team and in the church.
1. Attitude of humility
Another word for humility is “lowliness.” This is modesty, having a humble opinion of one’s self and a deep sense of one’s moral smallness. The humble person does not insist on being right all the time or always making his voice heard. He does not feel the need to justify his every action. Unity of the whole is more important than undue attention drawn to himself.
2. Attitude of kindness
Kindness, or gentleness, is treating others charitably, not insisting on the letter of the law. Kindness and meekness is a quality that enables a person to suffer wrong and not retaliate, murmur, or criticize, but to commit himself and the circumstance to God.
3. Attitude of forbearing
“Forbearing” is bearing with one another in love. It is making room for another’s faults because of love. This is an ongoing decision to steadily pour yourself out for others in acts of love and being quick to mend fences. You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction. So stay together.
4. Attitude of love
Love the Jesus way – with responsibility, deliberately setting your will and your mind to love people with attitudes and actions. God gives the power to love the unlovable.
5. Attitude of peace
Peace is the bond that keeps the unity chain together. There must be peace between individuals for there to be peace in the church. The church and the team are made of people, so without peace between individuals, there will not be peace corporately. Protect the atmosphere of unity with peace.
This post was taken from the new series now available at our store: “Dynamic Effects of Spiritual Unity.” Click on the links below to learn more about this and other resources and to download immediately.
“United we stand, divided we fall.”
This is the motto of the state of Kentucky. It’s a principle that applies to so many areas of life, particularly the church. To build an enduring church, we must build with the dynamic, vital principle called unity.
Unity is singleness of heart and mind, being whole and one in purpose. The people of God are called to be one unit with one heart, mind, judgment, accord, spirit, and focus. The church that grasps and preserves this vital principle will be powerful in accomplishing God’s plan for them.
But like everything that is powerful in the Kingdom, unity can be attacked. The attack on unity comes in the form of offense. Offense is described in the Bible as a snare, something like a trap that baits an animal and snaps shut once the creature puts his foot in the trap’s jaws.
Here are a few signs of unresolved offenses. Learn to recognize these so you can combat them and preserve unity.
1. Strained relationships and bitterness
Bitterness spreads within your life, showing up in attitudes and emotions. Bitterness always grows, always causes trouble, and always defiles others. Blame and resentment are ways to split people into groups. Watch for any unforgiveness you are holding and be quick to forgive.
2. Resisting authority
Offense causes distrust, hindering response to authority. When you resist authority, you are choosing to separate yourself from the direction God is leading the church through His leaders.
3. Drifting from, and ultimately leaving, the local church
The local church is the place of planting. Trees planted in stress sites such as the side of a hill or a windy spot will grow stronger than one grown in a greenhouse. The tension grows a stronger, better wood. The planting place is designed to cause some stress tension to the tree. Don’t run from that stress. Stay where you are planted.
4. Strongholds of vain imaginations
The trauma of offense may cause a person to become emotionally unstable, seeing all situations and circumstances through the frame of their offense. Realize the reality of your situation. Don’t allow your mind to wander and extrapolate the situation. Don’t make a mountain out of a molecule.
Resolve today to root out habits or thoughts that threaten unity in your church and your life. United we stand!
This post was taken from the new series now available at our store: “Dynamic Effects of Spiritual Unity.” Click on the links below to learn more about this and other resources and to download immediately.
Dynamic Effects of Spiritual Unity, sermon series: click here
Atmosphere, sermon series: click here
Awakening, sermon series: click here
Relationships, sermon series: click here
