Factions

I really used to think that the healthy church is the one where factions and divisions are minimized as much as possible. At times I acted like the goal was to do away with division. I was wrong. Even a healthy church will have problems and divisions. What makes a church healthy is not the absence of problems and divisions but the perseverance of followers of Christ through problems and divisions, holding to truth and exalting Christ, fearing God and not men (there is true unity). That is health in the church and frankly, that kind health may actually only exist when divisions and factions are present at some level. What else can you make of Paul’s words to the Corinthians? 1 Cor. 11:18-19 says, “For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, ¹⁹for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” ESV. Factions and church health can go hand in hand because when the genuine are recognized Christ is exalted. I am all for solving problems but Scripture clearly provides a much better view on church health, one whose goal is exalting Christ.