Regroup Sunday 2026

United, Not Uniform

September 6, 2026 • Pastor Blair Allen

In Ephesians 4, Paul calls the Church to be “eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit,” while at the same time reminding us that Christ has given different gifts to His people. Christian unity isn't uniformity. We aren't united because we all think alike, vote alike, prefer the same things, or contribute in the same way. We are united because we belong to the same Jesus. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God and Father of all.

That means the question isn't, “Why can't everyone see this the way I do?” A better question is, “What does the body need from each of us?” The teacher, encourager, evangelist, shepherd, giver, organizer, and servant all see something the others may miss. Problems begin when our gift becomes our grid for judging everyone else—when “this is what God has given me” quietly becomes “this is what everyone should care about.”

Paul's picture is of a body in which every part is needed, and every part contributes to the maturity of the whole. The goal isn't to eliminate our differences but to bring them under the lordship of Jesus and use what He has given us in humility and love. When every part is working properly, Paul says, the whole body grows and “builds itself up in love.” This is what we will look at this Sunday.