Harmony vs. Unity

Imagine you were afforded membership in a prestigious orchestra with a notable patron. Now imagine that instead of achieving excellence together, or even attempting to play well together, each member of the orchestra splintered off. Some went to play at a local jazz club, others at the honky-tonk, others at a choral ensemble and still others at a concert. That would certainly be a shame and greatly displease the patron.

The patron of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ. In Him, all true Christians, local churches and the Church, have an objective spiritual unity that they have received by grace. However, the more pride is displayed, what is meant to be a unified orchestra can often descend into different venues (individualism, cliques, denominations, etc). This is disunity.

Yet, return to the scene of the orchestra trying to play well together. This is like a church with no visible animosity but that struggles to become fully unified. One might say that they have visible harmony but not the full visible unity that the patron of the orchestra desires. When there is complete visible unity everyone is playing their part, every note is perfect, every instrument comes in when it should, etc. There is no rivalry or dissension, no self-will but a desire to do God’s will. The key desire is to work together to please the patron. This is ideal of unity existed in the early Church, which was “one heart and one soul.” (Acts 4:32).  

To be fair, harmony and unity are close synonyms, but they are different. Harmony is ‘the state of peaceful existence and agreement’ whereas unity is ‘the state of being in agreement and working together.’ Unity is stronger than harmony. A harmonious church is at peace and yet subtle friction prevents it from moving forward at full speed. A unified church is at peace and of one vision with no inhibitors such that it races forward to fulfil its vision. Christians have objective spiritual unity in Christ but the process of arriving at a corresponding visible unity takes much more work. Sometimes the final push from harmony to unity can be greater than moving from disunity to harmony.

What things prevent a church from visible unity? Or, what factors can cause a church to have harmony but not unity? Here are a few factors/tensions/differences: secondary doctrines; ideas about the ways of doing things (philosophies of ministry); members and non-members; new to church vs. established members; generation/age; changes brought by growth (things aren’t the same as they used to be); spiritual immaturity and spiritual maturity; the changes needed to adapt and grow; strong and unique personalities; how things are communicated/decided, etc. Can you think of others?

We live in unique post-Christian times that present both challenges and opportunities to unity. An opportunity is that much militancy over some differences has diminished as minority status has forced us to see commonalities. There appears a genuine desire for unity. However, cultural pressures, the influx of different people from the quiet revival, and a host of other factors, can mean churches end up with harmony but not unity.

It’s far easier to spot differences that might lead to harmony than it is to overcome them towards greater visible unity. How do you move from visible harmony to visible unity?: remember the objective spiritual unity and attitudes necessary to foster unity in places like Ephesians 4; pray together (and for unity); spend time together in worship, fellowship and service; study the Word together and submit to what it says; have honest respectful conversations; be patient with each other and the process—movement from harmony to unity can take time. (God not only sanctifies individuals but churches). Finally, remember this; it is worth it as Jesus will be pleased, our witness enhanced and our joy made complete.
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May the Church of Jesus Christ become the great orchestra for God’s glory that she is intended to be!