Maintaining Church Unity in Politically Divided Times

Posted on by Tammie Beyer

This is another presidential election year. In an increasingly politically divided nation, the Church must set an example of unity, respect, and love in our culture, which serves as a testament to our dedication to the gospel.

The other day, I was hanging out with a small group of friends, and we ended up having this unexpected chat about politics, which turned out to be interesting. After some light-hearted banter, our discussion veered toward the 2024 presidential election, and things became controversial. One of my friends asked each of us about our political beliefs so she could understand where we came from. At first, I was hesitant, but we all shared our perspectives individually, discussing everything from our political affiliations to our preferred news sources. Even though we had both similarities and differences, it led to some good-natured debates. Surprisingly, after everyone had their say, our group dynamic remained warm and respectful, like before we discussed politics. I was relieved that we avoided any clashes and deeply encouraged to witness this kind of constructive dialogue among Christians. It was a hopeful sign that positive political conversations are indeed possible!

Many of us tend to shy away (I’m there with you) from uncomfortable political conversations instead of addressing the political issues dividing our country. However, as Christians, it’s crucial to care about discussing things causing division in our world. Even if we can’t change anyone’s minds or election results, it’s important because in a nation becoming increasingly politically divided, the Church must set an unwavering example of unity, respect, and love as our witness to the gospel depends on it.
Just before His crucifixion, Jesus prayed for the unity of His Church.
“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word;
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in
Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.”John 17:20-21, NKJV
If we permit politics to create divisions among us, we jeopardize the integrity and authority of the Church’s testimony. The devil knows that by dividing and distracting us with bitter conflicts over politics, he can hinder our mission to share the gospel. Likewise, our testimony becomes challenging to refute when we demonstrate Christian unity. It’s important to remember that Christian unity doesn’t necessarily imply Christian uniformity. We can and will still disagree about many things, including our political views. However, because Christian unity runs more profound than any worldly commonality we could ever share, it transcends our disagreements.
Christian unity does not hinge on everyone sharing the same political beliefs but on our collective commitment to follow Christ in obedience, love, and the pursuit of righteousness and justice. Imagine the profound impact on our nation and the world if the Church stood truly and fully united. It would be an unstoppable and undeniable witness to the gospel’s transformative power! Before discarding this notion as overly idealistic, consider your role in the global mission to promote Christian unity. While you’re not accountable for the words or actions of other believers, you are responsible for your interactions with them, including during political discussions.
Here are some principles to help you talk politics with other Christians in a way that honors God and fosters unity:

1. Know what you believe and the reasons behind them, and confidently express your political views without hesitation.

Your political views reflect your values and beliefs, and expressing them confidently empowers you to contribute to meaningful political discussions.
“Avoid discussing politics” is a common saying, but meaningful dialogue often involves addressing challenging and uncomfortable topics. If someone inquires about your political views, use the opportunity to promote understanding by openly sharing your perspective. Scripture advises us in 1 Peter 3:15-16 to “always be ready” to gently and respectfully explain our hope in the gospel. Still, this principle is also a helpful guideline for communicating other convictions, including political ones.
Before you share your opinion, please understand your position from a biblical perspective.
Why do you align (or not) with a political party or support one side of a specific issue?
Which biblical principles guide your political convictions? If you still need to consider the convictions underlying your view of what’s best for our country, consider this your homework assignment!
Why? Understanding your convictions helps you remain steady in discussions, preventing your emotions from taking over and negatively affecting the conversation. Knowing your beliefs and why allows you to confidently consider different perspectives without feeling threatened or defensive. Sharing the biblical foundation behind your ideas can help initiate meaningful conversations with fellow Christians who share your belief in the authority of
Scripture. Similarly, it can open the door to essential discussions with non-believers, allowing you to explain how the Bible influences your thoughts, including your political standpoint.
2. Understanding where others are coming from, especially when you don’t agree with them.
The book of James provides a biblical formula for healthy conversations: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (1:19).
Show your genuine intent to understand others by actively listening to them before asserting your viewpoint. Even if their perspectives contradict your convictions, acknowledge that debating or arguing is unlikely to change their minds. Instead, place your trust in the Holy Spirit to guide their convictions and lead them. “into all truth”—and be willing to allow the same Spirit to lead you as well (see John 16:13). Can I get an Amen?
When you disagree with someone’s political views, be cautious about making snap judgments. Instead, take the time to understand what they believe and why. Put aside your opinions momentarily and try to see things from their perspective. Don’t worry; I’m not saying you must give up your own beliefs. On the contrary, you’re just showing that you’re a good listener! When you understand where others are coming from, you might be surprised
that you hold similar values, even if you have different ideas about how they should be applied in politics. Understanding others’ perspectives fosters empathy and open- mindedness, which is crucial in respectful political discussions.
3. Make love your highest goal! (1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT)
When engaging in difficult conversations as Christians, it’s more important to show love than to be right or to persuade the other person that you’re right. If others see that love is your primary motivation, they will feel safer and be more open to discussing politics when the topic arises. Regardless of whether you ultimately agree, how you handle the conversation directly impacts the unity among fellow Christians and thus influences the Church’s example to a world in desperate need of healing and hope. Let’s not be blind to the spiritual enemy’s attempts to divide the Church in America when our country needs unity the most. Instead, let’s exemplify the revolutionary hope of the gospel by seeking Christian unity through respectful conversations and love for our neighbors.
No matter the election result, the United States and the rest of the world will face challenging times. Now, more than ever, the Church must remain steadfast in its commitment to unity and its testimony to the gospel. We place our trust not in any individual politician, policy, or party platform but in the transformative power of the good news of Jesus Christ. The gospel alone, now and forever, is and will remain the world’s ultimate hope.
Tammie Beyer
Associate Pastor

I feel incredibly blessed to have been married to my best friend, Jerry, for over 32 years. Someday, we will be reunited in Heaven. I am a mother to three amazing adult children, one son in-law, and one daughter in-love. I am also Mimi to five extraordinary grandchildren who can do no wrong. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

I have attended CommonGround Church for over 20 years, where I am privileged to be involved in various ministries. By God's grace, I obtained a bachelor's degree in Christian Leadership and was ordained by my beloved pastors.

My passion for God is unquenchable, and my greatest wish is to be more like Him, to always be about His work, and to never doubt His promises. As it says in Mark 9:23, "Everything is possible for one who believes."