Unity in the Midst of Diversity

One of the beautiful things about life in the Body of Christ, Christ’s Church, is the breadth and depth of unity and diversity God places in each local assembly. There is room for unity amidst diversity. In essentials we are to have unity (because we may be called to die for these), in non-essentials diversity (because we ought not to die for these), in all things charity (because we are called to love Jesus and our brothers and sisters in Christ). Our statement of faith identifies the primary core doctrines of Christian orthodoxy on which we all agree. Beyond that, we have freedom to hold secondary doctrinal views that are not in direct conflict with those and the loving responsibility to respect those who differ.

The challenge comes in identifying essential doctrines and differentiating them from secondary ones. For that, as in everything, we must look to God and trust Him to give us wisdom beyond ourselves.