The Saltbox Christian Centre

Dark Cave of Division

Ephesians 4:1-6 contains:

• A call to humility, gentleness, patience and love (4:1-3)
• A celebration of seven "one's" - one body, hope, faith, baptism etc. (4:4-6)

The passage presents an overview of the spiritual unity of the body of Christ and some practical encouragement to work it out on earth. Yet it is amazing how often those things that are intended to unite us actually divide us:

• 'One baptism' has been denied by divisions over the age of the person being baptised, as well as the form, significance and outcome of the baptism.
• 'One body,' as commemorated in Holy Communion, is denied by differences of opinion about its meaning, who should administer it, where and how often it should be taken and how it should be celebrated.
• 'One hope' of the coming of the Lord is confused by interpretations of Scripture and variant convictions about the nature of the millennium and the 'rapture'.

To these doctrinal issues, we could add many more. The result is that the body of Christ is divided and devastated. I want to make it clear that, in speaking about division, I am not decrying diversity, which is to be affirmed and celebrated, whether diversity of style, gender and/or gift (See Ephesians 4:11).

There are four spheres in which division occurs:

1. Between denominations
We understand and accept the historical reason for the development of streams and denominations. It would be impossible and undesirable at this stage to unify them together. However, we need to check whether there is any sectarianism in us, especially in this area that has witnessed such longstanding disunity and where people suffer from a parochial mentality.

Historically in this region, there have been cases of outright denunciation. Roman Catholics and Protestants have fought. Various branches of Methodism and of Pentecostalism have argued strongly against each other. More subtly, but no less fatally, there have often been feelings of superiority, based on pride and/or prejudice.

2. Within denominations
Examples of division are not only confined to the realm of inter-denominationalism. They crop up within denominations, too, albeit taking a different form depending on the denomination. For example:

In the Church of England, there have been divisions over the issues of women priests and format of communion services. 'High' and 'low,' and evangelical and Anglo-Catholic are often less than complimentary about each other.

Historical divisions between the Wesleyan-, the New Connexion-, the Primitive-, the Free- and the Independent-Methodists still surface from time to time. Modern variations on the theme occur between traditionalist and 'Easter People' Methodists.

There is a strong debate in the United Reformed Church on the issue of the acceptability of homosexual ministers and members.

The classic Pentecostal groups (Assemblies of God, Elim Pentecostal and the Apostolic Church) have each attempted to establish their superiority. More recently, the Pentecostal/Charismatic divide has been brought into focus.

3. Between churches

Often there can be division between individual local churches, especially in cases where they have similar doctrine and exist in close geographical proximity. In general terms, the more evangelical the churches, the more likely they are to be in 'an alliance of one.' It is easy for local leaders and congregations to disagree over such things as the staging of evangelistic events and/or 'sheep-stealing.'

4. Within churches
Division can reach right to the core of local churches. It is particularly serious when it happens within the leadership team. Local splits can arise over many issues, including:
Styles of worship (Choruses or hymns, guitars or organs, loud music)
Liturgy (Too old or too modern, too short or too long)
Organisation (Fund-raising, property, wages, programme)

Conclusion
We might conclude that church would be great if it wasn't for the people! As ever, the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart. The root of disgraceful words and discourteous deeds is one and the same. In the heart we find the root of

>> Bitterness >> Insecurity
>> Anger >> Pride/arrogance
>> Envy >> Prejudice

A powerful picture concerning the church at present is taken from the story of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the broken walls of Jerusalem. This picture is especially applicable to city-wide initiatives and regional fellowship. The focus of this talk has necessarily been on the negative aspect of unity. This is simply because I believe that, before we can build the wall of unity, we need to clear away the rubble of division. May God give us grace to do so.
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Summary of the message given by Robert Mountford on 31 January 2002 at the '2 Chronicles 7' leaders' meeting.
Robert is the Director of City Vision Ministries, whose purpose is 'to inform and inspire God's people towards the fulfilment of the church's mission to disciple all nations.'