09/04/2023
Though “social polarization has most certainly found its way into Christ’s church,” it’s still possible to build congregational unity by “choos to stay and... love even the ones who drive you crazy,” promises pastor Dunlop (coauthor of The Compelling Community) in this buoyant guide. In fact, “the existence of disagreement” in a congregation can be a sign “that things have gone gloriously right,” according to Dunlop, because “when a church in all its differences unites around Jesus, it reflects the... glory of God far beyond what we can do as individuals.” He presents eight truths that underlie “a Christ-centered church,” among them the notion that faith is enriched by those “with whom you differ,” because “they’re taking risks for Jesus in places you might not have to”; that “divine justice” enables humans to better forgive one another; and that church unity is vital as it bolsters Christ’s earthly “reputation.” Grounding his advice in biblical analysis and anecdotes about how his own Washington, D.C., congregation weathered rifts caused by Covid-19 and the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Dunlop drives home the value of Christian love with a pastor’s winning zeal, even if some of his instruction (he advises readers to “pray that your love at church would be increasingly genuine”) won’t be much help in the heat of the moment. Still, this is essential reading for those who don’t always see see eye to eye with their pewmates. (Nov.)
