#1 Recognize the physical
When a new leader comes into the First Priority family, one of the first things we have them do is fill out a community diagnostic sheet. This project can be as simple as counting how many churches and schools are in their area. As you get deeper, you begin to learn how many people are going to church and what the students are getting in trouble for in school. It helps to be knowledgeable about your area when you ask people to join a mission with a big vision. With current events being broadcast globally each and every day, it is important to keep up with what and how conversation is effecting people in your community.
#2 Recognize the spiritual
One specific piece of diagnosing your community is not just getting to know about them, but actually getting to know them personally. A united church for the cause of evangelism is a great idea. Most people who work with First Priority would say that it is the best idea on the planet. But, when a community is made up of pastors who each have a different mix of gifting, talents, passion, and call, it is insane to think that they will all jump in with you right away. Those with the gift of evangelism will, but those whose passions are more along the lines of small groups and discipleship will not. That is more than okay, it is healthy for a community to have a mix of spiritual leadership! The evangelists (generally) will jump in and help students share the gospel at school. The discipleship leaders will be way better at follow up five weeks after the student gave his/her life to Christ at Engage Week. Get to know all church leaders to recognize and honor the spiritual gifting God has given to them.
#3 Recognize the mentality
We all live in a community with a culture. Having grown up in NW Iowa in a Dutch Reformed church, I had no idea that the Heidelberg Catechism Q&A 1-10 was not memorized by all high school freshman in all Christian churches everywhere. While my co-workers jealously harass me for this heritage, it has shaped how I think, act, and feel whether I realize it or not. Nashville just went through a huge insurgence of Predator fans (NHL hockey team). It brought to light that Nashville loves Nashville and thinks that everybody loves Nashville as much as Nashville loves Nashville. Living 30 minutes south of Nashville, I get outside of the big city a lot. While Waynesboro (small town TN) thinks Waynesboro is a wonderful place to grow up, they do not feel that many people will move there. This realtor (http://www.webbrealty.net/index.htm) loves the town so much that half of her description of the town is a list of the other towns surrounding it!
By being aware of these 3 tools for church unity, you will increase your capacity for unity.
“Unity in diversity is more beautiful and more powerful than the unity of uniformity. More depth of beauty is felt from a choir that sings in parts than from a choir that sings only in unison.” John Piper
