Several years ago, a church experienced some inner turmoil. The friction between two groups worsened, and they decided to split. However, neither group wanted to give up the building. So they came to an agreement that they would share the property. Each group would have the place on alternating Sundays.

This arrangement worked out well except for the fact that neither group trusted the other to share the heating bill equally. Now this was the old days, and they used a coal stove to heat the facility. So each group bought their own fuel. One had their coal pile on the west side of the building; the other had theirs on the east side.

I suppose their philosophy was: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism…but two coal piles!”

Unity is difficult to maintain, but it is definitely God’s desire for the church. Ephesians 4:3 urges, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Carl Ketcherside said, “80% of unity is attitude.” Let’s all cultivate an attitude of unity that facilitates peace and harmony in the church.