How do we move the church past division in theology, evangelism and mission to work toward unity in Christ?

We believe that we are united with believers in every time and every place. We believe that we are one body, with Christ as our head. The unity of the church is a key element of our ecclesiology. There is room in our theology and practice for faithful disagreement, yet there are increasingly more individuals and groups within our church that speak of schism and division. Schism rends the witness to Christ that we bear to the world. I also believe that we are a 1 Corinthians 12 church, not just better together than we are apart, but incomplete without each member.

We have to change our focus from the issues that divide us and instead seek unity through Christ in the calling to which we have all been called - sharing the love of God to all the world, in word and in deed, and in our visible witness as a church. "We" cannot move the church past divisions in theology, evangelism, and mission - only God can. I suggest we pray to God for the peace, unity, and purity of the church even as we work to maintain that bond of peace in all that we do.