Have you ever watched a symphony orchestra warming up? It seems like absolute chaos. The violins all play different notes, the trumpets blare, and even percussionists test their instruments – it can sound like a musical car crash. But then a hush comes over the audience and the conductor raises their baton, and suddenly all those disparate sounds blend into something breathtaking. 

That’s exactly what the Holy Spirit does with the church.

Today, many UK Salvationists will gather at the congress, Together 2025. If you were to observe us, you couldn’t help but notice how different we all are. Different ages, diverse backgrounds, different accents, and yes, even different opinions about everything from worship styles to the best way to make a cup of tea. Yet there we will be, united in worship, united in purpose.

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

Paul’s questions aren’t rhetorical. They’re a good diagnostic. If we belong to Christ, if we’ve experienced his love, if we’re filled with his Spirit, then unity isn’t optional – it’s inevitable. But here’s the thing: unity doesn’t mean uniformity.

Think about your own corps or church for a moment. Picture the people you worship with each Sunday. There’s probably someone who irritates you slightly. Someone whose politics make you wince. Someone whose parenting style differs from yours. Someone who sings too loudly or not loudly enough. Yet these are your people. They are your corps or church family. You belong to them, and they belong to you.

The power of unity doesn’t come from pretending our differences don’t exist. It comes from recognising that what unites us is infinitely stronger than what divides us. We’ve all been baptised by the same Holy Spirit. We’ve all been rescued by the same Saviour. We’re all stumbling towards the same eternal home.

We may see corps or churches close, we may witness painful divisions, we may endure disappointing leaders. But we also see God work miracles through imperfect people who chose unity over uniformity, and love over being right.

Whether you wear uniform or not, whether you’re an adherent, soldier, or someone who just wandered into church last week – you belong here. Your presence matters. Your absence is noticed. You’re not just attending a church. You’re part of a body. And bodies only function properly when all the parts work together.

What I’ve learned over the years is the world is watching. In an age of increasing polarisation, where people unfriend each other over political differences and families split over political choices, a truly unified church stands out like a lighthouse in a storm. Not because we all think the same, but because we love the same Lord and choose to love each other.

Prayer: Lord, help us to see past our differences to the unity you’ve already created through your Spirit. Give us grace for one another, patience with each other’s quirks, and a fierce commitment to stay together even when it’s difficult. Amen.

Reflection Question: What part is God asking you to play in building unity within your church family?