I’m Looking for a Church That is Not So…

When looking for a church people often want uniformity but often fail to strive for unity.

The Early Church

When you look at the early church in Acts, it was anything but uniform. They didn't all speak the same language, have the same customs, or even look alike. And yet, they were deeply united.

The source of their unity was not found in their similarities but in their shared faith in Jesus Christ. As Galatians 3:28 states, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Their unity came from the gospel, not from being uniform in ethnicity, social status, or any other external factor. They understood that unity is far more important than uniformity.

What does Uniformity Look Like in a Church?

Uniformity in a church means everyone is from the same racial, economic, social, and political backgrounds. There is a sameness and homogeneity. But you can have uniformity without true unity.

What does Unity Look Like in a Church?

Unity means being united around the truth of the gospel despite differences in secondary matters. It's preaching the same gospel, loving one another, and serving together, even when you don't agree on everything.

The early church's unity was strongest when it embraced its diversity yet rallied around its common identity in Christ. Its bond went far deeper than any shared affinities—it was a spiritual kinship rooted in the gospel.

God calls the church to pursue this - not uniformity, but unity amid diversity. Our unity is meant to be a powerful testimony of God's supernatural work in bringing together people from all walks of life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

May we as the modern church learn from the early church's example. Unity in Christ is far more precious than any skin-deep uniformity this world has to offer. Our differences pale in importance compared to what we share together in the gospel.