In one of the most personal moments of Jesus’ prayer, He prays for you and me—not just for the disciples who walked with Him, but for everyone who would come to believe through their message.

"My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." – John 17:20-21

Jesus’ deepest desire for His followers is oneness—a unity so deep and so real that it reflects His own relationship with the Father. Think about that. Jesus envisions a church so united that our love for one another is undeniable proof to the world that He was sent by God.

Yet, unity feels harder than ever.

We live in an age of polarization. Whether it’s politics, theology, or culture, people are quick to divide, quick to label, and quick to cancel. Friendships end over differences. Churches split over disagreements. And yet, Jesus' call remains the same: "May they be one."

So how do we live this out? How do we pursue unity in a world that thrives on division?

The Third Way

For years, our church leadership has used the phrase "agree to disagree" when navigating difficult topics. But this isn’t about avoiding the tough stuff. It’s about something deeper—what we call The Third Way.

This approach is not about compromise or watering down truth. It’s about refusing the false choice between either-or thinking and instead seeking a Jesus-centered way forward. It’s about being a church that is defined more by what we are for than what we are against.

What We Will Never Compromise On

Let’s be clear: some things are non-negotiable. We will always stand on the supremacy of Jesus Christ.

• Jesus is Lord. Everything we do flows from His life, His ministry, and His teachings.
• People still need Jesus. That will never change.
• We are called to make disciples. Baptism, teaching, and evangelism will always be core to who we are.
• The Bible is our foundation. While interpretations may vary, Jesus' authority is absolute.

This is not about abandoning convictions. It’s about holding them with grace and humility while making room for those who see some things differently.

When Christians Disagree

Over the last 2,000 years, faithful believers have held different views on really important issues. If you’ve ever searched online for Christian debates, you know—there’s no shortage of opinions.

Yet, in that diversity, the Holy Spirit still works. He still produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in the lives of people who may disagree on secondary matters.

If fruit is the evidence of God’s presence (Matthew 7:16), then we must recognize that unity in Christ does not always mean uniformity in thought.

Jesus calls us to something deeper than just theological alignment—He calls us to love.

Jesus’ Disciples Didn’t Agree on Everything Either

This isn’t new. Even Jesus’ twelve disciples were wildly different from one another. Two of the most striking examples are Simon the Zealot and Matthew the Tax Collector.

• Simon was a revolutionary who believed the Roman government was evil and should be overthrown.
• Matthew was a Jewish tax collector—someone who worked for that same oppressive Roman government.

By all accounts, these two men should have hated each other. Their entire worldview was in conflict. And yet, Jesus called them both.

Can you imagine Simon showing up at the first disciples' gathering and seeing Matthew there? “Jesus, this guy? You’re calling him?”

But Jesus was building something bigger than political movements or ideological tribes. He was establishing a kingdom that transcended division.

And He’s calling us to do the same.

The Church Must Lead in Unity

If Jesus could bring together a tax collector and a zealot, He can unite us too. But it requires something from us.

It means seeing each other first as brothers and sisters in Christ—not as enemies because of our voting records or theological leanings. It means stepping beyond culture’s demand that we divide into teams and instead embracing the higher calling of Christlike love.

Does that mean ignoring injustice? No. Does it mean pretending differences don’t exist? No. It means putting our allegiance to Jesus above all else.

"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." – John 13:35

Our witness to the world depends on this.

Living Out the Third Way

Jesus’ call to unity is not theoretical—it’s practical. It plays out in how we worship, how we serve, how we handle disagreements, and how we refuse to be divided by the same things that divide the world.

Here’s what it looks like:

1. Commit to Lifelong Transformation – Following Jesus is a journey. We keep growing, learning, and surrendering to Him daily.
2. Love Our Neighbor – Serving the local community isn’t just a project; it’s a lifestyle.
3. Engage in Global Mission – The church isn’t just for our city or our country. God’s mission is worldwide.
4. Think Critically as Believers – We don’t just accept easy answers. We seek wisdom, study Scripture, and listen to the Holy Spirit.

None of this happens in isolation. It happens in community. In worship. In communion. In real relationships with real people who don’t always think exactly like we do.

Our Future Depends on This

The church today stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. Generations of believers have sacrificed, prayed, given, and built so that we could be here now. The question is—what will we pass on to those who come after us?

We have been entrusted with a mission and a message. And if we let division define us, we risk failing the next generation.

But if we embrace The Third Way—if we pursue unity without compromising truth, if we love each other despite differences, if we hold fast to Jesus as our foundation—then we leave behind something greater than ourselves.

Jesus is not asking us to abandon our convictions. He’s asking us to anchor them in love. Because in the end, the only thing that will truly matter is this:

Did we love Him? Did we love others? Did we live in such a way that people had no choice but to glorify God?

That’s the kind of church Jesus prayed for.

That’s the kind of church we are called to be.