“For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?  What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task.”

-Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-5)

Looking at this verse, I cannot help but think of the present state of the Church.  Particularly the denominational division that exists.  Close to Crossroads I know of Presbyterians, Lutherans, Catholics, and Baptists who all meet in their own building and do their own programs.  At some point in history there was some disagreement (usually theological in nature) that caused a separation.  Generations pass, and the divide still exists.

Where is the unity that Jesus prayed for?

Are we so caught up in thinking we are right that we fail to remember this prayer?

Although I strongly believe that we are coming to an age where Christ-followers unite to help change the world, we are still in a state of division.  Sure, people have a preference in preaching styles, music choices, and rituals, but that does not mean we cannot work together.  There is a hurting world out there that needs to be loved, and who better than the Church to share the love that God has.

I don’t think we need to all be together on Sunday morning, that would require one massive building.  What I’m saying is that if we really want to impact the community, there must be some change.

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

-Jesus (John 17:20-23)