The Importance of Churches Working Together

There is strength when God’s people work together. This truth can be seen in families, throughout communities, and especially within the Church. There may be many different churches, denominations, traditions, and styles of worship, but those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ have something far greater in common than the things that may try to separate. The commonality is Jesus Christ. When churches are willing to put aside unnecessary differences and work together for the cause of Christ, they can accomplish much more for their region and for the Kingdom of God.

The Bible clearly teaches the importance of unity among God’s people. Psalm 133:1 declares, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Biblical unity does not mean that every church must look the same, worship the same way, or agree on every point. There are convictions and doctrines that God's people should never compromise. However, there are also many areas where believers can stand together, recognizing that common faith in Christ is greater than many of the differences that exist.

Jesus Himself prayed for this kind of unity among His followers. In John 17:21, Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one.” His prayer reflects that Christian unity is about something much greater than simply getting along with one another. Unity is part of one's testimony to the world. When Christians continually fight, criticize, and tear one another down, the world notices. However, when Christians come together to pray, serve, help those in need, and proclaim Jesus Christ, the world notices that as well.

There are many opportunities for churches to work together without giving up their individual identities or convictions. Churches can cooperate through community outreach, food drives, disaster relief, youth activities, prayer gatherings, and helping families who are going through difficult times. One church may have resources another church does not have. Another may have volunteers, facilities, equipment, or experience that can help accomplish a particular task. When these resources are brought together, the ability to minister to people becomes much greater.

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10 says, “Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.” The passage continues by displaying that when one falls, another is there to help him up. There is a spiritual principle in these words that the Church should never forget: God never intended for churches to do everything alone.

The Apostle Paul described the Church as a body. 1 Corinthians 12:12 says, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body.” Every part of the body does not have the same function, but every part is important. In the same way, different congregations may have different ministries, different strengths, and different opportunities. When those strengths are used together for the glory of God, the entire community can benefit.

Communities face problems that no single church can solve by itself. People are struggling with addiction, poverty, loneliness, broken homes, hopelessness, and countless other difficulties. The Church has an opportunity and a responsibility to shine the light of Jesus Christ into these situations. When churches work together, they are able to reach beyond the walls of individual congregations and demonstrate the love of Christ in practical ways.

The Church should never be about competing with one another. Churches should not compete to see who can have the largest attendance, the biggest building, or the most successful ministry. Christians should be here to serve Jesus Christ and advance His Kingdom. Galatians 6:10 says, “Let us do good unto all men.” That is something every Bible-believing church can stand behind.

When churches work together, differences become secondary to the mission God has placed before them. Churches may worship in different buildings, have different traditions, and approach certain things differently, but they can still join together in serving God and loving our neighbors.

Here in White County, one can already see an example of this through the churches and ministers who participate in the Ministerial Association. Ministers from different church backgrounds and affiliations are willing to come together for the good of the community. We may not agree on everything, but we can agree that people need Jesus, people need prayer, and people need to see the love of Christ demonstrated through His Church.

A community is stronger when its churches are willing to stand together. More importantly, the Christian testimony is stronger when the world sees believers practicing the unity, love, and service that Jesus taught. A Christian does not have to surrender their convictions to work together. They simply need to remember that Jesus Christ is the Head of the Church and that ultimately, everything they do should be for His glory.

For more information about Abundant Grace Church, visit agcsparta.org.