The joy of congregational unity just might be the most important lesson I’ve learned since planting Imago Dei Church in January of last year. The difficult joy of unity is probably a better way to put it.

I think we have it, but oh! how we must continually fight for it.

David’s exclamation in Psalm 133:1 captures the happiness of harmony when he says, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Paul seems to know this delight well for he encourages the Ephesians, and churches everywhere, to be “eager to maintain the spirit of unity in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3). Unity in the church is glorious!

THE PURSUIT OF UNITY

We need only to look to the High Priestly Prayer in John 17 to see how much our Lord values unity among His people. Notice these petitions for unity Jesus’ prayer:

• “Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one” (17:11).
  
• “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you” (17:20-21).
• “The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me. ” (17:22-23).

Jesus’ requests for His people be one not only underscore the necessity of unity, but also how hard it is to achieve. What fights against unity in the church? According to John 17:15-17 it is Satan and sin. That’s why the Savior prays for the Father to “keep [His people] from the evil one” (17:15) and to “sanctify them in truth” (17:17).

Unity is a difficult pursuit, but a vital one.

THE EXPERIENCE OF UNITY

If you have been in a local church for any length of time you likely know how effect Satan and sin are at overthrowing congregational unity. Satan’s tempting of church members to exalt personal preferences are nearly pandemic. The sin of pride, when left alive, will always entice Christians to make more of themselves than their brothers and sisters in Christ. The world pressing in as well in all manner of sundry ways.

So what is a pastor to do? A Spirit-wrought, Biblically-informed advance for congregational unity must necessarily begin with the ordinary means: word, sacrament, and prayer. It’s in the faithful preaching of the word that matters of first importance are heralded and cherished as immanently more valuable than side matters of individual taste. It’s through regular feasting at the Lord’s Table that the entire church announces its allegiance to Christ and through sharing the same bread and cup. It’s in the ordinary prayers of the church that saints are encouraged to lift their eyes off themselves and lift holy hands making prayers for all the saints.

If you’re a pastor, see how the ordinary means are non-negotiable realities for the experience of unity. If you are a church member, faithful attendance to your congregation’s gathered worship is essential to the promotion of unity your heart and the souls of your fellow members.

There are, of course, other opportunities of wisdom one might seize in order to increase his church’s harmony. One of them is what we at IDC call “The Family Meeting.”

THE CELEBRATION OF UNITY

Depending on which denominational background you come from this meeting might be known as “The Business Meeting” or “The Members’ Meeting,” we like the name “Family Meeting” because it seems to connote less formality and rigidity.

We have six Family Meetings a year at IDC; they happen on the second Saturday (we currently meet on Saturday nights) of the even months (February, April, June, etc.). I like to tell our church a couple things about the significance of our Family Meetings. First, “If you miss a Family Meeting you are bound to miss something important.” Because they only happen every other month something important is bound to be discussed. It may be the affirmation of new members, nomination of church officers, affirmation of the church budget, or – like last year – the excommunication of a member. The second thing I like to say is, “Outside of the ordinary gathered worship service, nothing is more integral for our pursuit of unity than the Family Meeting.” It’s here we deal with all the “family” business.

What does a Family Meeting look like? Ours happen for about an hour after our gathered worship service and a common agenda would look like this:

• Corporate reading of the first half of our church covenant.
• Give away some books. I always give away a couple free books. This is a great way to not only promote doctrinal literacy in the congregation, but also endorse sound authors.
• Affirmation of new members.  Our polity calls for all new members to be formally and vocally affirmed by the congregation.
• Quick update on church budget. It’s always good to let the church know where the budget stands. This usually means sharing year-to-date budget/expenses, year-to-date income, and then celebrating the sacrificial giving of our members.
• Share helpful information about a specific church ministry. Here we might announce an upcoming mission trip, share about a new direction in kids’ ministry curriculum, or celebrate the volunteer involvement of our members.
• Discussion about church officers. Our system of elder and deacon installation happens over the course of at least six months. It has thus so far been normal to discuss something about the candidacy, nomination, and installation of church officers.
• Share stories of disciple-making. The elders at IDC select a few people in the congregation who are creatively and faithfully trying to make disciples in the workplace, neighborhood, or community. This is a wonderful opportunity for other members to hear about how much disciple-making is going on throughout the church and provides them more fodder for intercessory prayer.
• Personal pastoral updates. I generally close the meeting with any pertinent updates about my family or specific ways the church can pray for me.
• Corporate reading of the second half of our church covenant. It end with the doxology from 2 Corinthians 13:14 and is a perfect way to conclude the meeting.

Unity’s depth is dependent on awareness. How easy it is for members to sow seeds of doubt and division when they aren’t aware of the what and why behind the church’s mission. Our Family Meeting is a time where the body gets to find out what’s been going on and where we are headed. In other words, these meetings increase congregational knowledge and help squelch those divisive seeds. Our elders value these meetings so much they want have them every month! We aren’t there right now, but we do hope to eventually get to monthly meetings. They really are that vital for our church’s unity.

Do you have something like a Family Meeting? If so, great! If not, consider how you might patiently and wisely shepherd your church to have regular members’ meetings. You might be surprised how catalytic they can be for unity. And what a good and blessed thing unity is.