Do we sing about unity while practicing division?

The reality of church life today is marked by diversity rather than unity[1], yet Jesus prayed that his followers “be one”[1]—creating an undeniable gap between aspiration and practice.

Churches often become so preoccupied with establishing and maintaining their own identities that God gets sidelined, existing only in name or doctrine[1]. This self-focus perpetuates fragmentation. Rather than transcending divisions, churches sometimes reinforce them by catering to their own preferences, transforming religion into something almost ethnic in character[1]. The irony runs deep: we confess belief in one Lord while organizing ourselves along lines of preference and tradition.

However, the search results suggest this contradiction needn’t be permanent. Acknowledging controversial tensions ecumenically—rather than ignoring them—could sharpen and deepen our understanding of the gospel while opening pathways toward greater Christian unity[2]. This approach encourages ecclesial repentance and renewal, both essential for overcoming divisions[2].

Critically, unity itself is not a neutral concept, and this reality must inform how we think about doctrine’s role in church unity[3]. Doctrine has historically functioned as an impediment to reunification, which is why reconceiving doctrines as rules rather than propositional statements might help reduce their divisive force[3].

The gap between our songs and our structures persists partly because we’ve treated unity as something to achieve through correct doctrine or organizational alignment, rather than as the work of the Holy Spirit, whose fruit begins with love[2]. Closing that gap requires honest acknowledgment of our divisions alongside renewed commitment to the common Lord that transcends them.

[1] Rob Goodwin, Eclipse in Mission: Dispelling the Shadow of Our Idols (Eugene, Oregon: Resource Publications, 2012). [See here, here, here, here.]
[2] Mark Husbands and Daniel J. Treier, Justification: What’s at Stake in the Current Debates (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2004), 274–275.
[3] Geoff Thompson, Christian Doctrine: A Guide for the Perplexed, Guides for the Perplexed (London; New York; Oxford; New Delhi; Sydney: T&T Clark, 2020), 106–107, 142.