Unity – when we’re pulled in too many different directions

24 Feb, 2025 Unity – when we’re pulled in too many different directions

AllTogether Insights, enCOURAGEment word by Dave Mann 0 Comments
I’m in the unity space. I’m connected to various things – nationally and internationally. And I worked out a few years ago that I can’t do it! Everyone wants a piece of our nation. Unity movements keep arising – each wanting to be the ‘centre piece’. It can’t work!
Once we see the problem – then we’re ready for this brief article, because efforts to ‘bring unity’ can even be divisive, if they then result in ‘unity talk’ and ‘unity prayer’ – with no energy or time left for anyone to consider what is most needed: Which is united effort! 
Example: Consider our current united prayer gatherings for the harvest
  1. ‘Open Heaven’ – February – March
  2. Global Day of Prayer  – Friday 7 March this year – to unite the global church in prayer for the harvest
  3. Gather25 – brand new, being on 1st March – to unite the global church in prayer for the harvest
  4. GO Pray (at the end of April) – which is about prayer for the harvest…
    • …sitting just prior to ‘GO Month’ – which is the month of May as a focus-month on outreach as part of the ‘GO Movement’
    • …while builds up to GO Day (Global Outreach Day) on Pentecost itself – with literally tens of millions globally united in this, going out to share the gospel – though this one is mostly beyond the West.
What are we to do?
All of these are great initiatives! (I genuinely applaud them!)
Clearly we cannot participate in all!
  5. Then consider the pastors in a town who’ve met for combined church services and prayer meetings for many years without need for any of these. (Are they in disunity with the rest? Clearly not!)
If we can’t keep up with the programmes – what from amongst them should we preserve?
  • The purpose, not the programme!
  • Every one of these has a basic layout (a) unity (b) in prayer (c) for the harvest.
    • The date, name and brand matter nothing in contrast to the purpose.

A lesson worth a little more thought

International (and even national) unity movements can divide the Church if they call for allegiance and we give it.
Unity movements can also undermine the FUNCTIONAL unity of the Church when they busy people with endless meetings talking and praying about various things – without an anointing to catalyse action.
  • Faith is most truly expressed in action – not only in our talk and prayer!
> Each pioneer of a ‘unity movement’ naturally wants the allegiance;
> It is our pioneers in unique united gospel-oriented effort that deserve our greatest allegiance. 
To encourage a perspective for New Zealand… 
I encourage that unity leaders in cities and towns be VERY CAREFUL not to actually ever ‘belong’ to a unity movement from outside of NZ – even if you do connect with them, visit them and learn from them.
  • They are not us, and they cannot lead us.
  • This is a vital perspective – because God often leads through people. (Your allegiance to people with no anointing for your city could blind you to those God raises up within and for your city. We can thereby miss the actual voice and leading of the Spirit!)

The only unity movement we should ever actually belong to is God’s Church within our geography – noting this is the only distinction between Christians that has any relevance to God.

Consider these definitions

  • DEFINING YOUR UNITY MOVEMENT NAME: The NAME of the unity movement is the NAME of your geography. It is that simple. There is only one church in your city or town – and province – and nation!
    • (For me, I belong to the Church of Tauranga and the Church or New Zealand – even while belonging to and being committed within a local church community that gathers in a specific building.)
  • DEFINING YOUR UNITY MOVEMENT LEADERSHIP AND STRUCTURE: On any piece of land, God’s strategy is to raise up men and women who will initiate different things in that place. In God’s Kingdom leadership is defined geographically. None of our other definitions and distinctions mean anything in heaven – even though these might serve a temporary purpose here on Earth.
    • The onus is upon us to recognise local (geographic area) leaders in various arenas – being aware that God can raise them up. (Many don’t see them because they  don’t yet perceive this is how God works).
    • We must therefore be cautious of any call for our allegiance or even energy to a ‘unity movement’ that exists beyond this scope.
      • I could quickly cite unity movements based in Australia, America or the UK – with footprints in NZ. Each is admirable. I’ve learnt from 3 or 4 movements – while quickly learning I can’t belong to any of them. (I’m in yet another international ‘gospel unity’ meeting this evening. It can seem flattering being given a global regional title…).
      • Each movement could bless us by way of lessons we could learn.
      • But once in NZ, they are nothing to us – because it is the Holy Spirit’s leadership, through people he raises up, that we need!
    • In summary: Jesus will lead his Church – by his Spirit – through men and women who he raises up in our nation to fulfil his purposes amongst us.
      • As a value system, we must therefore look for and affirm LOCAL leadership in our geography. This requires a genuine ‘Kingdom’ perspective, seeing beyond our own denominational or other ‘clique’.

 

‘Submitting to one another in love’ then becomes the overarching principle.

  • We surrender ambition
  • We affirm others
  • We work as teams
  • We avoid competition and unnecessary duplication – because we are diligent to communicate with other leaders in the Church (city) we are a part of, rather than staying only within our own denomination, movement or friend group.
  • Those who think they are leading are ever-ready to step aside – to affirm the leadership of others.
  • No one person ever actually leads. It’s more likely God raises up various people to lead in various different areas. We are wise to see and affirm all this – and to support it.
  • With wisest of leaders then facilitate this perspective – even themselves stepping aside if there is a perception of competition.

Conclusion: Only one unity movement actually exists – and it’s name is…

…[the name of your geographic location].
All else is human structures purposed to aid the purposes of God’s Church.
  • These structures are needed.
  • These structures are not a problem – so long as we all understand their subservient place.
  • Often, however, they (and we) have not.
So – to conclude with reference to our starting illustration: Which united prayer gathering you join with matters not.
  • ‘Unity in prayer for the harvest’ is the overarching principle.
  • Programme suggestions are just ‘tools’ for our hands.
  • Hopefully, however, churches in an area find a way to unite in one or two of these – rather than more awkwardly running all four!

 

May God help his people to understand how the united Church works!

For further reading:  I note some other articles written especially in 2023 and 2024 on dynamics / the culture  within pastors’ groups. I’ve selected a few links here – with a fuller list below.

Other articles by Dave Mann on functional unity

View full list (including previews) HERE or topical list below from newest to oldest.

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