Unification In Diversification

The Church is eclectic, comprising people with various backgrounds, personalities, and preferences. Some might be part of a heritage of Christians; others might be the first generation, perhaps even one of the few lapses in generations. In the Church, we have some who are more inclined to be outgoing, others who are more kept to themselves, some who are go-getters, and others who exercise an abundance of caution in all they do. Some prefer to keep things as they have been, while others might be inclined to test a variety. None of this is inherently wrong; therefore, none of this should inherently disrupt the goal of the Church.

The Church has a threefold goal. First, we seek to edify one another (Hebrews 13:3). Second, we seek to show benevolence to the membership and the lost (Galatians 6:10). Third, we seek to evangelize, win to Christ, the lost (Matthew 28:19-20). All of these goals are the purpose of the Church. God tasks us to do such - what a loss if we allowed minor, non-consequential differences to disrupt our work. 

If the work is to be accomplished and accomplished well, we can only do that with an appreciation for one another - differences included. This does not have different doctrines (2 John 8-11), but it does include different abilities, skills, and approaches. For the Church to fulfill its work, there must be an appreciation for those differences; that is how the Church first thrived. “I[Paul] planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Paul recognized differences in his and Apollos’ abilities and differences in how they served. Because of an appreciation for the differences, the great work that God tasked the Church with was done, and it was done well.

In the end, some will bear more fruit than others, helped in “more profound ways,” but all who will enter into glory will say the same words, “‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” (Luke 17:10) Standing there with our Lord, receiving our reward, we will all be different people of a variety of measures - but we will all be His.