Bridging the Gaps
Church division is painful: doctrinal disagreements, personality conflicts, or outright hypocrisy among members can make you question if unity is possible. It hurts because the church is meant to be a family, but Jesus prayed fervently for oneness in John 17:21, that believers would be one as He and the Father are one.
To handle division, focus on the essentials of faith—such as salvation through Christ—and extend grace to secondary issues. Ephesians 4:2 calls for humility, gentleness, and patience, as well as bearing with one another in love. If conflict arises, follow the steps outlined in Matthew 18:15-17: address it privately first, and then, if necessary, with witnesses.
Seek healthy communities where love prevails, and pray for unity across the body of Christ. I’ve witnessed division in churches, but choosing forgiveness and focusing on Jesus brought healing.
If you’ve been hurt by church division, remember Christ is the head, and He calls us to reflect His love. Work toward reconciliation where possible, and let God mend the broken places.