Disunity is the single greatest threat to the Body of Christ.
Read that sentence again.
Read it one more time.
I’m certain if you’ve been a Christian for more than a few months, you’ve heard church leaders, pastors and teachers talk about the importance of unity. It is almost cliché, even trivial to mention unity. Here’s my take. Unity is a common theme because disunity is a common problem. Often, it feels as though the best thing to do is just accept disunity as a part of the Christian experience and go about our business as best we can.
Jesus however prayed in John 17, just before He was nailed to a cross…
John 17:20-23 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
I can’t imagine that any one of Jesus’ prayers would go unanswered. Therefore, unity is not just some whimsical thought that can never be attained. Rather, it is a reality to be experienced.
Philippians 2:1-2 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.
Over the next few weeks, I want to share with you seven priorities I was shown by the Holy Spirit around which God wants us as members of the Heartland Vineyard Church to unite. These priorities are broad in scope but vital to the overall health, growth and welfare of our church. Over the next years, I want to lead our church toward these priorities:
- Placing a deeper dependency on Jesus for the future of our lives and church.
- Seeking a more organic, grassroots, natural approach to ministry.
- An ever-increasing focus on being a missional, outreach oriented church.
- Intentionally raising up young leaders and preserving a culture of youthfulness.
- Appreciating more fully our Kingdom of God orientation.
- Committed to a healthy church culture.
- Clarifying our message. What is the gospel?
In the weeks to come, I will be discussing in detail the importance and the implication of each one of these priorities. I have never been as enthused about the future of the Heartland Vineyard Church as I am today. God is doing a great things as we enter into a new season.