Unity | The Branch

“Unity is not agreeing on everything. It’s the commitment to relationship under the banner of Jesus Christ.” — Pastor Chris Reed

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastor Matthew Johnson is joined by Pastor Anthony Lombardi and Pastor Chris Reed to wrestle with a question that feels especially urgent in today’s world. What does unity actually mean.

Unity is often assumed to mean agreement. The pastors challenge that assumption early in the conversation. They explain that unity is not uniformity, and it was never meant to be. People come from different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and personalities. Expecting complete agreement ignores the way God created humanity.

Instead, unity in the Christian sense is rooted in shared allegiance to Jesus. It is about being committed to one another in relationship, even when opinions differ. The gospel itself testifies to this reality by bringing together people who would otherwise remain divided.

The conversation turns to the writings of the apostle Paul, where unity is a consistent theme. Paul repeatedly calls believers to strive for unity while also acknowledging disagreement. He addresses matters of conscience, preference, and maturity, reminding the church that not everyone will think the same way.

Romans 15 is referenced as an example of how believers are called to hold convictions while allowing space for others to do the same. Paul does not require uniform behavior or thinking on every issue, but he does call the church to walk together under Christ.

At the same time, Paul is clear that unity is not the highest value above all else. When false teaching or unrepentant immorality threatens the health of the church, Paul is willing to confront and even separate for a season. Unity is restored when repentance and correction take place.

A key part of the discussion centers on how Christians discern what truly defines the faith. The pastors point to church history and the early creeds, particularly the Nicene Creed, as a helpful framework for identifying core Christian beliefs.

These foundational convictions include who God is, the identity of Jesus, the authority of Scripture, the reality of sin, redemption through Christ, and the hope of restoration. These beliefs have historically united Christians across denominations.

Beyond those core truths are secondary issues. These include leadership structures, worship styles, and theological emphases that vary between churches. Disagreement on these matters does not automatically place someone outside the Christian faith.

The pastors acknowledge the tension many people feel when deciding where to worship. It is possible to recognize another church as Christian while still choosing not to attend it. This decision is often shaped by preference, comfort, and conscience rather than heresy.

Worship styles, church size, and cultural expressions can influence where people feel at home. Problems arise when preferences are treated as biblical absolutes. When personal comfort becomes dogma, unity begins to fracture.

The pastors emphasize that being a Christian comes before identifying with a denomination. Denominational labels describe expressions of faith, not the essence of faith itself.

“The power of the gospel is that it brings people together who would otherwise have no reason to be together.” — Pastor Matthew Johnson

The episode also addresses challenging theological conversations, including women in ministry. The pastors describe the time, prayer, and study involved in navigating such topics. They acknowledge that Scripture can be complex and that faithful Christians may land in different places.

Humility becomes essential in these moments. Rather than assuming certainty on every issue, believers are encouraged to seek the Holy Spirit, study Scripture carefully, and remain open to correction. Unity does not require pretending difficult questions do not exist.

Another theme that emerges is the ease with which people leave churches. The pastors reflect on how quickly individuals disengage when disagreement or discomfort arises. They contrast this with Paul’s imagery of the church as the body of Christ.

Leaving a church is sometimes necessary, but it should never be flippant. Decisions should involve prayer, reflection, and consideration of how departure affects leadership and community. Unity requires perseverance, especially during difficult seasons.

The conversation then expands beyond the church to address culture. The pastors are clear that unity with the world does not mean adopting its values. Followers of Jesus are called to be sanctified, meaning set apart for a different way of life.

This distinction touches every area of life, including views on success, sexuality, and identity. The church is not called to withdraw from the world, but it is also not called to mirror it. Christians engage culture while walking in a different direction.

Jesus is presented as the ultimate model for holding truth and love together. The pastors reflect on the story of the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet. Though her life was marked by sin, she was drawn to Jesus rather than repelled by Him.

Jesus never minimized sin, yet His posture invited people near. He challenged behavior while extending dignity and compassion. This balance stands in contrast to both religious exclusion and cultural affirmation.

“Love and truth are married according to Scripture. They are not separated.” — Pastor Anthony Lombardi

The episode introduces a simple framework often used to describe discipleship. Believe. Belong. Behave.

Jesus invited people to belong before their lives were fully transformed. As belief took root, behavior followed. The pastors stress that the church must remain a place where people are welcomed while being invited into transformation.

Compromise occurs when the call to transformation disappears. Exclusion occurs when belonging is denied. Unity is found when both invitation and conviction remain intact.

Throughout the discussion, the pastors repeatedly return to the role of the Holy Spirit. There is no single formula for navigating every relationship, church decision, or cultural interaction.

Believers must remain attentive to God’s leading. The Holy Spirit guides when to speak, when to listen, when to stay, and when to leave. Unity is sustained not by rigid rules but by faithful dependence on God.

Unity stands as one of the church’s most powerful testimonies. When people from different ages, cultures, and backgrounds come together under Christ, it reveals something the world cannot produce on its own.

The gospel creates a community where disagreement does not require division and conviction does not eliminate compassion. This kind of unity points beyond human effort and toward the work of God.

As the pastors conclude, unity is not about comfort or consensus. It is about love, truth, and faithfulness to Jesus, lived out together.