Unity is something very close to my heart, so the title of this book immediately got my attention. It is a fantastic study; the best I’ve ever read on the subject. It is deeply challenging from the very start, as the author focuses on the priority of worship in our lives, and how this leads us on the path to unity.

Essence of praise

In a long, but unmissable, introduction, Chan asks: “How much time did you spend praising God this morning? There is nothing you have to do today that is more important than worshipping him.”

Our lack of praise may actually be the biggest cause of our divisions.

He even encourages you to put his book down and begin worshipping, and says he would be happy if we failed to get past the introduction for this reason.

“Our lack of praise may actually be the biggest cause of our divisions,” he writes. “It’s hard to start an argument with someone who is on her knees shouting praises to Jesus, especially when you’re also busy blessing the Lord… Many of our problems could be reconciled if we discussed our concerns on our knees before a holy God.”

Unity in practice

I found the book especially thrilling because I have first-hand experience of the powerful witness of unity among believers – from attending a non-denominational Bible College, spending several years at the Christian Renewal Centre in Northern Ireland dedicated to reconciliation across the Catholic-Protestant divide, and now working with teams from different churches in the schools of Doncaster. Teachers are so often amazed at how well we work together.

But this is not a book to skim through. Chan encourages deep contemplation on the many points he raises, backed by a helpful Scripture index.

Central message of the cross

He says: “When you consider all the divisions that have fractured the church into literally thousands of branches, it’s hard to believe that we all claim to follow the same Jesus who prayed before he died that we would all be one as he and the Father are one.”

Confessing to personal guilt over sowing discord, Chan wonders how we can have missed this important doctrine when it’s the central message of the cross – that is, reconciliation with God and with each other.

Chan wonders how we can have missed this important doctrine when it’s the central message of the cross – that is, reconciliation with God and with each other.

But humility is required. “We all have an incomplete, flawed knowledge of God. Without humility, we would never have unity… We need to stop thinking that our prime duty towards our fellow believers is to critique them. It’s not. Our prime duty is to love them.”

Working towards unity

But Chan does not believe in unity at all costs, making it clear that correct doctrine on primary issues is paramount. Nevertheless, there is too much focus on the specks in other people’s eyes while being blinded to the planks in our own. We must fight for unity, and it starts with me and God – not with other people.

This is a wonderfully inspiring read on a vital subject, and I highly recommend it. (The publishers are also planning a study guide on the subject, ideal for small groups.)

'Until Unity' (220pp) is published by David C Cook publishers, and is available from Eden Books for £11.96 (inc postage)