“No one asked for my input or how it would affect my workload!” This was the response from the tech team leader after a mega-church added another off-site campus across town without providing enough time to adjust his manpower.
After much praying and strategizing, the lead pastor and elders sensed that the Lord was providing an opportunity to expand their ministry reach. However, once the satellite campus began its first few services, they realized things were not going as well as expected. Staff relationships deteriorated, there was a lack of reliable workers, and tasks were overlooked. It quickly became evident that the decision to add a remote location lacked buy-in and cooperation from several department heads.
In Colorado, Church Security Lead, Shawn* expressed his concerns: "I’d be stressed out if my work hours on Sundays suddenly increased from three to eight. I’m already overworked. I feel like I’m already ill-equipped to handle such a huge church by myself. But if we make budget cuts, they say I’m the first to go.”
Whether the issue involves expanding the church’s influence, differing leadership styles, mission philosophy, or something else, friction between teams or individuals can lead to irritated staff and volunteers losing sight of the vision, ultimately creating a divisive atmosphere. Some team members dig in their heels, demanding more resources and compensation, while others may choose to “quiet quit” as a way to express their disapproval.
The underlying issue goes deeper than seeking buy-in; it’s about unity. Biblical harmony does not imply that disagreements cannot exist. As a former pastor, I have seen the strength that comes from church staff having diverse viewpoints. When teams strive for biblical camaraderie, they can become unified despite differing opinions. So, what does God's Word say about the power of building unity amidst diversity?
The high priestly prayer of Jesus in John 17:20–23 conveys a message that is both profound and intimate. In these verses, Jesus prays for unity that transcends human understanding—a solidarity that binds believers together and connects them to God through Christ. He prays that His followers will be one, just as He and the Father are one, expressing a hope that extends beyond the room where He sat to the ages to come.
This prayer, spoken during the Last Supper, represents the essence of Jesus’ heart. It culminates His teachings and provides a window into His priorities for His disciples and all believers. Aware that His earthly time was ending, Jesus spoke with the gravity that accompanies moments when time is short, and every word holds significance.
To truly grasp the depth of Jesus' words, you and your church staff must first consider the concept of union with Christ. This is not merely a theological idea; it is the essence of how we live our spiritual journey together. The unity that Jesus describes is not just a future goal but a present reality that transforms how we live, interact with our teams, and even understand ourselves. In the Gospel of John, this union is illustrated through the analogy of a grapevine and its branches, demonstrating how believers are nourished by Christ and grow as extensions of Him.
The key to understanding the unity for which Jesus prays can be found in John 15, where He says, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit…” (John 15:5). This abiding connection signifies more than just staying close; it represents a deep, life-giving relationship. The phrase "in Christ," which the Apostle Paul uses over 160 times, encapsulates the essence of Christians being in harmony, where every blessing flows from our mutual connection to Jesus.
With this understanding, we return to John 17 and see that Jesus’ prayer has a deeper significance. He repeatedly speaks of being “in” each other—believers in Him and in the Father. This simple preposition "in" reveals a profound truth: we are drawn not only into a relationship with Christ but also into the very life of the Godhead, the Trinity.
When Jesus prays that we would be “in us,” He refers to the unique, relational unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This invites us as church workers to be enveloped in the love and oneness that flows within the Trinity. Just as the branches cannot survive apart from the vine, we, too, are designed to be deeply connected with Christ and, through Him, with each individual serving alongside us throughout the week.
The depth of this unity carries a purpose: that the world may believe. Jesus says, “so that the world may know that you sent me and that you love them even as you have loved me.” The unity among believers is a powerful testament to the truth of Christ and God’s boundless love. It is not just a personal experience but a mission, the foundation of the Great Commission itself. It also sends a powerful message to your church members. They watch how the staff (both paid and volunteers) interact with one another in love and unified trust.
Togetherness within the body of Christ is meant to be a clear sign to the world that God sent Jesus and that His love is real. As Christians demonstrate oneness, they fulfill Christ's desire for the world to see the gospel not only in words but in deeds. People long to see it lived out, even when two of your department leaders disagree over who deserves the activity hall more on Friday night.
As Jesus closes His prayer in John 17, He leaves us with an amazing fact: God loves us with the same love He has for His Son. This love is not just abundant—it’s overflowing, powerful, and fully given. The early Church had a word for this dance of love within the Trinity: Perichoresis (Gk). It describes the divine exchange, unity, and self-giving love among the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And Jesus invites us into this.
When Jesus says that we are loved “even as you have loved me,” He doesn’t mean a lesser form or a partial expression of that love. Instead, He offers us the full Niagara Falls of divine affection, not a trickle or a mist. This love does not change or fluctuate; it is constant, binding, and overwhelming. That’s exciting!
Over the years working as President and CEO of Compassion Canada, there have been times when co-workers have been zealous about a particular issue. Amid that, the importance of their beliefs can get skewed, leading to heated discussions. The following bullet points are great examples of applying unity and understanding to our daily office conversations.
It’s vital we understand the following definitions for convictions, persuasions, and opinions when sharing our thoughts so we know what hills we will die on and what things really don’t matter when we express differing views:
Co-workers can feel passionate about their opinions and unintentionally create division among the body over things that just don’t matter. It can be exhausting for pastors. Be sure to know in which of these three groups you place each of your beliefs and why.
Until we see the value of investing passionately in our staff’s well-being, we will forever face the roadblocks of division. Let us not merely hope for a healthy team but be proactive in working peaceably together. Let’s go beyond “That would be nice” to “Look what the Lord has done.”
This unity, grounded in love, is not something we achieve by effort. It is a gift God gives us and sustains through our connection to Christ. It invites us to live in the power of God's love, to love others as He has loved us, and to let our harmony be a witness to the world.
Consider the healthy model we have in Acts 2:42-47 where the birth of the early church sets an example for us. They “had everything in common” with “glad and sincere hearts.” Because of their unity and witness, the Lord added to their number daily those who were getting saved. The world saw Jesus’ followers as different from them (unified), and it was attractive. They wanted that too. Each of your team(s) want it; we all want that.
Let us hold on to this truth: God loves you—with the exact love He has for Jesus. May this reality shape our lives, our churches, our witness to our congregants, and the world, which needs the hope only this divine unity can provide.
So, in a divided world, let us be united—in Christ, through Christ, and for Christ. To be in one accord is the prayer of Jesus, and it is our calling.
*Name changed for privacy
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