Church Divisions: What are the Causes and How Can We Prevent Them?
The Church is not perfect. In fact, it’s messy and complicated. But that doesn’t mean that the Church is any less of a beautiful, broken, flawed yet loveable entity. The Church is made up of imperfect people that are called to be saints. The Church is no longer a single entity; it’s now made up of many smaller groups of Christians that gather together in association with others who believe the same way and in the same things and have a similar vision for their faith. There are many such churches around the world, each with its own set of distinctive principles, beliefs, or practices which define them as a particular group rather than just being considered as part of the universal Church. And while there are numerous unifying elements in all churches and Christian denominations — such as belief in Jesus Christ as our savior and scriptures being inspired by God — there are some instances where Churches divide because they interpret certain doctrines differently or have different views on how to interpret scripture.
He has done this intentionally so that every member would look after the others with mutual concern and so that there will be no division in the body.
1 Corinthians 12:25
Why do we need to understand Church Divisions?
There are numerous examples of Churches dividing or being divided. When breaches occur in fellowship and trust, it’s essential to have an understanding of why it happened. This helps the body of believers move on from the controversy and focus on the things that unite them instead. When there are Church divisions, we are called to love each other even more and to be examples of patience and humility. This can be difficult when emotions and tempers are running high, but it’s vitally important that we maintain a Christ-like response to the conflict as much as possible. When divisions happen, it’s natural to want to know why they occur. This is particularly true when the division occurs in your Church or denomination. This will help you move forward from the controversy and focus more on the things that unite you.
What is a Church Division?
A Church division is the breaking away from one Christian denomination or Church into two or more distinct groups. Church divisions can occur for a number of different reasons, but one factor that often contributes to division is differing interpretations of scripture. Other key factors that may cause a Church or denomination to divide include disagreements about the role of leadership, belief about the mission, or the degree to which doctrine is emphasized. Church divisions can happen at different levels. At the most minor level is when individuals leave their Church or denomination to start their own Church. At a more significant level are denominations that split into two or more groups.
What are the causes of Church Division?
There are various factors that contribute to Church Division. A Church may divide over a disagreement in opinion or interpretation of scripture. Church members may interpret certain verses of scripture differently, leading them to have different understandings of certain doctrines. Divisions can also occur when there is discontent with the leadership of a Church. Disagreements over leadership roles often happen when there is no clear or defined hierarchy for leadership. This can lead to confusion about who has ultimate authority or responsibility within a Church. Divisions may also occur when there are disagreements over beliefs about mission or evangelism. Divisions can also happen when a church emphasizes doctrine more than Love and unity. When the Church is no longer growing.
What are the different types of church divisions?
– Territorial Divisions: When churches split over territorial issues, it is often due to disagreements over where to establish a new church or how to divide existing church property. Territorial divisions are also common when there are disagreements over where a new church should be built. – Denomination Divisions: Denominational splits are a result of two or more groups of people disagreeing over what a Church should believe. Denominational splits are most common when people and Churches have different beliefs about God, the Bible, and what it means to be a Christian. – Confessional Divisions: Confessional divisions occur when a Church’s beliefs and practices do not align with the beliefs of another Church. – Ideological Divisions: Ideological divisions are often the result of a Church wanting to take a specific direction but other Churches disagreeing with this direction. Ideological divisions can also result from Churches being divided over the best way to achieve a goal or solve a problem. – Leadership Divisions: Worship is complicated and requires a team effort. While some Churches are made up of very caring and compassionate people, others are made up of people who want to do their own thing. Divisions can occur when there are different personalities and a lack of cooperation within a Church. – Educational Divisions: Educational divisions often occur when different groups within a Church disagree about how best to educate new members. – Membership Divisions: Membership divisions occur when a Church disagrees about who should be allowed to attend or become a member of the Church. Membership divisions can also occur when a group of people disagrees over membership policies and procedures. – Missionary Divisions: Missionary divisions occur when a Church disagrees about its mission or has different priorities when it comes to bringing the Gospel to other people. – Miscellaneous Divisions: Miscellaneous divisions occur when a Church is made up of a diverse group of people who have different backgrounds, interests, and beliefs.
How can Church Divisions be prevented?
There is no easy fix to preventing divisions in Churches. Many divisions are caused by misunderstandings, communication breakdowns, or different interpretations of scripture. Some people also mistakenly believe that they are on the “right” path, leading them to be unwilling or unable to view their own Church as imperfect. Preventing Church divisions is best done by being open-minded, humble, and patient. Churches and denominations will naturally disagree on certain doctrines and practices, but these divisions can be minimized by being patient and understanding. Rather than trying to convince others that they are wrong, it is better to focus on understanding why they believe what they believe. When disagreements arise within the Church, it is essential to address them in a respectful and loving way. This can be done by being patient and trying to understand where others are coming from.
3 Reasons Your Church May Divided and How to Prevent It
– There’s a Lack of Mutual Concern for One Another: When divisions arise in a Church, it can be challenging to create a feeling of mutual caring for one another. This is especially true if there are disagreements about certain practices or doctrines in the Church. It can be challenging to have a genuine concern for others when you find yourself in disagreement with them. Preventing division in your Church begins with having a genuine concern for others and being willing to listen to their perspective. – You or Others are Holding onto Unforgiveness: Unforgiveness can hinder Church unity and increase the likelihood of Church divisions. When you or others in your Church cannot forgive others, you may feel bitterness and anger towards them. This can lead to feelings of distrust and a lack of willingness to work together in the name of Christ. Preventing division in your Church begins with being willing to forgive others and move forward in Love and unity with each other. – You or Others are Too Quick to Judge Others: When divisions arise in a Church, it is important to be slow to judge others and give them the benefit of the doubt. Preventing division in your Church begins with being patient and giving people the benefit of the doubt when they make a decision that you disagree with. It can also be helpful to be open and willing to understand why others have made their own decisions.
2 Types of Divisions that are Harmful to the Church and How to Avoid Them
– Division Based on Culture: Some people or groups within a Church may attempt to form their own division or division based on culture. This type of division harms the Church because it creates divisions based on race or ethnicity. Division based on culture can occur when one group within a Church begins to associate more with other members of their culture and language. This often occurs when a few people within a Church speak a different language or come from a different country. Division based on culture can be avoided by encouraging groups within a Church to become more diverse. This can be done by encouraging different groups within a Church to mix and associate with each other. – Division Based on Money: Division based on money can occur in Churches where some are very generous and those who are not. It is usual for there to be people who are willing or able to give more than others can.
We need to have equal concern for each other.
As Brothers and Sisters in Christ, we are to have equal concerns for each other. The Church needs to be viewed as one Church. We need to be united on the essentials and have Liberty on the non-essentials, and in all things, we need Love. We also need to remember we are a family. And as with any family, we will sometimes rub each other, but we should never turn on each other. We need to love each other, and we need to bear each other’s burdens; we should never allow our differences to become a burden to each other.
Takeaways
Many years ago, I was part of a church split. In hindsight, I did not follow Paul’s exhortation to have equal concern for each other. I had never read, let alone written, a paper on what it means to have a division in the body. Paul and Barnabus split on whether Mark should join them on their mission trips, and as a result, they were able to cover more areas to further the message of Christ. So I am not saying all division is bad. What I do want to encourage is…Are you showing Love for one another? That is, after all, what Christ commanded to his Church, that we love each other. When the essentials are not being adhered to, then we need to defend against heresy. When it comes to non-essentials, we need to show Liberty to those we disagree with, yet in all things, make sure you show Love to each other in order to uphold the law of Christ.
