We tend to think that if we all look the same, walk the same, talk the same, and think the same that we have unity, however this isn’t unity, but uniformity. In our current church culture we’ve mistaken uniformity for unity numerous times which has lead to the erosion of unity between many differing members of our body. True unity, unity born out of love for the Father should distinguish us from the world, and how the world looks, walks, talks, and thinks. This unity shouldn’t cause us to discriminate against people within our body, but it should be reflective of a holy love; a love that is seen as unconditional, patient, and not out for its own gain. This is the kind of love that goes beyond the shallow end of uniformity and into the depths of unity. This kind of love unifies and sets us apart from the world in which we live.
Unity requires more than a uniformed effort centered around a popular cause. True unity calls us to move beyond uniformity, to join and partner with…not making the cause our mission, but to love and fight for justice with the people that are affected by the cause. This is our mission! This is a part the Gospel which is not accurately reflected within the body without the presence of unity between all of the members of the church no matter their race, gender, class, or gifting. If we lack the ability to partner with one another, how will partner with those who are not part of the body? When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth about utilizing the many diverse members of their body, he was in many ways calling for unity. He realized their tendency to confuse uniformity with the presence of unity. Like us, the uniformity amongst the Corinthians caused them to devalue anyone that didn’t conform to their homogenous way of doing things. Likewise we continue to divide ourselves by our differences, and forget about the divine communion that we experience with the Trinity that moves us past uniformity in to unified action for the gospel. ” Now their are a varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and their are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and their are a variety of activities, but it is the same God that empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. (1 Corinthians 12:4-7)
Each member, no matter what may differentiate them from the homogenous group plays a very important role in the manifestation of the Gospel message, and how its communicated in and outside the church. Each member, and what they have to offer is valued and that value was not determined by us, but by God. We all were created in his image, to be one body with many differing members for a reason. Our mission to live out the gospel requires that we remain unified…unified with Christ and with one another. This unity between us illuminates to the world an impartial, unconditional love. Without unity we will continue walking in uniformity, devaluing the contributions of those who are different than us.
Ashley, your point about what our mission truly is, is well taken. When we are no longer uniform and yet remain united, we are expressing our faith in Christ, and affirming his love for people.
People feel that uniformity brings belonging and safety. But uniformity erodes unity. People shun those with even slight differences. This idea of unity is shallow and unloving. Race, gender, class, gifting – all these distinctions work against unity. Victims of who are victims of injustice are especially more likely to be discriminated against, because of differences. If the Christian church were to more fully promote its own historical writings about cohesion and unity, then perhaps the human proneness towards discrimination could be overcome by a truly spiritual life.
The goal of unity within the Christian church, then, would be that each person is treated as unique and valuable as much in the eyes of the church as in the words of its God.
Your distinction between unity and uniformity is a needed one to make. It strikes at the difference between outward appearances and the changed heart. Saul had the outward appearance, but God rejected him because his heart was not true. David had the heart God wanted and he chose him to be king. As humans, it is difficult for us to judge the heart correctly. We are even deceived by our own hearts. We need God’s help and specifically the love of God shed abroad in our hearts to truly live in unity with one another. I believe that is why Jesus said that when we are one in unity then the world will know we are “from Him,” because that kind of unity in love is only possible in Him. Thanks for the good reminder. What one or two specific issues do you think are most in need of true unity in the church?
Hey Ashley, love these thoughts and I actually just covered some of this ground with the kids here at Intermountain last night in chapel. The lesson was on the Creation-basis for diversity in unity. The object lesson was M&M’s (different colors, but all the same on the inside). The kids here are from all races, all backgrounds. They seem to get the need to hang together in common mission better than most churches I interact with. I think their advantage is that they are broken and KNOW that they need each other. I think a major factor that keeps us in disunity is that we don’t really think we need each other in the body of Christ. We’re happy to “do church” in our own little clubs… too busy to worry about racial reconciliation, cause aren’t we doing Kingdom work well enough without those other folks (that happen to be of a different color, creed, or economic status)?
Getting back to where I started… Creation calls for unity that embraces diversity. We all have the image of God within us and have been called “very good.” I asked a little guy here who is VERY into minecraft how many different types of trees there are in the game… he said about 5 or 6. I said, “EXACTLY.” That’s the world we’d have created… 5 or 6 types of trees would have been good enough for us. God creates thousands of species. But… they are all trees and they share the same Maker. If we can’t look at specific revelation (Jesus Christ) and see a basis for unity in diversity, maybe we should start with God’s general revelation. Just look around at Creation… anyways, thanks again for your writing and your friendship. Blessings, Chris.
I love the M&M object lesson. I’m definitely using that one.
Dear Ashley,
I think I understand your point throughout most of your post to be that uniformity is detrimental to unity, in that it devalues the diversity God has chosen to build into the body of Christ, as you note from I Corinthians 12. Thus, I am struggling with the concept that uniformity is somehow a foundational principle or prerequisite to unity. This seems to be what you’re suggesting by writing, “Unity requires more than a uniformed efforts centered around a popular cause. True unity calls us to move beyond uniformity….” (my emphasis added). Rather than moving “us past uniformity,” the other paragraphs of your post seem to suggest that we move in an entirely different direction than uniformity. Perhaps you could “unpack” this for me, to paraphrase our mutual professor. Thanks for a thought-provoking post!
Yours,
Bill
I was not meaning to suggest that we throw out uniformity altogether(although depending on what kind of uniformity we’re suggesting, we might need to). Uniformity can, at times be a good thing. However, it’s when we mistake uniformity to be the only thing needed for unity that we fall short. I hope that brought some clarity to the point I trying to make.
Ashley, thank you for your very thought provoking post and the distinguishing differences between unity and uniformity. I so agree with you that forced uniformity can get in the way of unity. I have grappled with this for many years and can’t understand why we make so much of uniformity and not unity – in other words – accepting people and celebrating them for who they are. We all are created in the image of God. I often refer to the metaphor of the body which scripture uses. I think it is a perfect picture of what you are saying. Our bodies have neither corners nor abrupt edges, but each member is different from every other member and flows in perfect unity, not uniformity, into the adjacent member in perfect unity and harmony.
I agree with you. We do make a big deal out of uniformity. For many, myself included uniformity is one important part in maintaining structure. However, there are times when the structures we’ve set into place hinder unity. I think it maybe time we re-evaluate some of the structures that neglect unity for the sake of uniformity.
I really enjoyed this post, Ashley. The homogeneous unit principle was a kind of gentrification of the pew. It is astonishing to think that it was celebrated and encouraged by the modern church. The same thing is happening to the post-modern church, only like all things in the world of consumerism, the markets are narrower. Many young churches are devoid of any sense of multi-generational, multi-ethnic and even multi-task (my way of saying that they even all like to do the same things) diversity. But there is a growing movement among evangelicals to embrace unity; to look at the places we live and ask whether or not we represent the whole people of God for our community. If we would, then race, gender, class, and gifting would not be distinctions that divide, but that bless.
Amen!
Ashley, I just read this and I loved it. I have always loved the comment, “unity but without uniformity”, so when I read your title, I just had to read your comments. I so agree that our unity amongst the diverse people within the kingdom and outside needs to look different to the world. Our love for one another should look so astounding that it compels people to want to know more about how and why we get along. I have always taught in my classes that if God brings a person into our sphere of life, no matter who they are, that He intends for me to learn something from them and that they have something to offer me. If I attend to this person with this in mind, I will grow, learn, be exhorted, encouraged and blessed. I truly believe this. If everyone is made in the image of God, then they have something of incredible value and worth to share with me that only they can. Being made in the image of God equalizes all of us so that no one is better than or less than any other person. We are of the SAME value and worth and therefore have much to offer each other. How I yearn to be taught by others no matter their race, gender, age or religion. What a rich way to live!