Opinion: We’re Not Opposing Teams—We’re One Body in Christ

I’ve spent nearly four decades in the pulpit and more than six inside the walls of Protestant churches. In that time, I’ve seen a troubling trend deepen—a kind of spiritual tribalism among believers. Denominational lines have become fences, and in some places, barbed wire.

We’ve forgotten that we are not opposing teams. We are not Methodists versus Baptists, Presbyterians versus Pentecostals, or Lutherans versus the non-denominational crowd down the street. We are the Church—the Body of Christ. And if we believe the Bible when it says “a house divided against itself cannot stand,” then it’s time we stop sawing at our own foundation beams.

Now, I love good theology. I’ve spent half my life parsing Greek verbs and debating points of doctrine that only a handful of folks in my congregation would ever care about. But at the end of the day, I’ve learned that salvation doesn’t hinge on whether you sprinkle or dunk, sing hymns or choruses, or whether your church governance has elders or deacons.

As long as a church preaches Christ, and Him crucified, then we are on the same team. That’s the hill the Apostle Paul said he was willing to die on. Everything else—eschatology, liturgy, or the nuances of covenant theology—is secondary. Important, yes. Worth studying, absolutely. But not worth dividing the family of God over.

When we turn our preferences into prerequisites for fellowship, we start acting more like Pharisees than followers of Jesus. We turn the gospel of grace into a gospel of group membership. I’ve heard brothers in the ministry dismiss other churches as “not really biblical” because they baptize infants. I’ve heard others say that Pentecostal congregations are “emotionally driven” or that Reformed churches are “spiritually dry.” Do you think the world hears that and sees Christ? Or do they just see another reason to stay away?

Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, “so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” Our unity is supposed to be the proof of His reality. But too often, we act like rival franchises competing for customers instead of branches of the same vine bearing fruit for the same Lord.

I’m not suggesting that doctrine doesn’t matter—it does. Truth matters deeply. But unity in truth doesn’t require uniformity of opinion. You can believe in the sovereignty of God and still love the brother who emphasizes human responsibility. You can await Christ’s return with a different timeline in mind and still serve side by side in the Great Commission.

When I was a young pastor, an older Baptist minister once told me, “Son, when we get to Heaven, God’s not going to check your membership card. He’s going to check if you knew His Son.” I’ve carried that with me ever since.

So here’s my prayer as a graying Presbyterian who’s seen too many church splits, arguments, and wounded believers: may we stop keeping score and start linking arms. Let’s spend less time labeling each other and more time proclaiming the cross. Because the lost world doesn’t need more proof that Christians can argue—they need proof that Christ still unites.

And He does.