Paul, for this episode, we have a variety of questions, both from local church pastors and leaders,

but then also from congregants and families. The common theme that runs through all of the

questions is disunity in the church. It could be a significant crisis or some seemingly small

issue, but it looks like it has growing potential

to divide the body of Christ. Some of the questions are, how can I serve and lead in a church

that is in the middle of a divisive crisis or disagreement? And then another, if I'm a lay

person, when is it time to give up and leave if the divide is not healing or unity is not being achieved. So I'll let you

just generally address the topic of unity and division within the body of Christ in the context

of a local church. Well, I want to begin by just talking about the unity of the church.

I don't want to begin that by saying that the unity of the church.

I don't want to begin that by saying that the unity of the church is not some happy luxury,

but a God-ordained necessity.

Three passages in Scripture immediately came to mind as I read this question.

First of Psalm 133, behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head running down on the

beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collars of his robe, is like the dew of Herman,

which falls on the Mount of Zion, for there the Lord has commanded the blessing life forever,

forevermore.

Unity is a blessing by God, because the unity of his people is only ever his creation.

When I sit up in the balcony at 10th Presbyterian Church, I look down to that congregation.

I look around and think, oh my goodness, we have

nothing in common. I mean, we are also different, different interests, different politics,

different social standings, different careers. But God has done something marvelous. He has given us something so beautiful, so important,

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