“Unity In Diversity!”

“Unity In Diversity!”(Eph.4:1-6).
In the 1960s and 1970s the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon (PCC), the Eglise Presbyterienne du Cameroun(EPC), the Union des Eglise Baptist du Cameroun(UEBC) together with the Eglise Evangeligue du Cameroun(EEC) engaged in serious talks negotiating a Church Union. It was actually about a merger. The negotiations did not result in the creation of a single unified denomination, but it eventually led to the creation of the now Council of Protestant Churches of Cameroon(CEPCA), formerly Fédération des Eglises et Missions Evangéliques du Cameroun(FEMEC).
We bring this background information because when fire erupts in a neighbourhood, you try to ensure the safety of your own house before going to assist a neighbour.
While the unity of churches may be the responsibility of church leaders, sometimes the question may be raised, “What put them asunder before wanting to come together?” Due to disagreement on some doctrines, the PCC alone has experienced a lot of breakaway factions including the Bangle church, Fomumnism, the Christian Missionary Fellowship(CMF), RAMA, RCCI, and others.
Has the body of Christ ever been this divided?
Every year, we have a week of prayer for Christian unity. In some towns where there are good ecumenical relations among mainline denominations, those denominations come together to observe the “Week of prayer for Christian Unity.” The irony bordering on hypocrisy is the discriminatory nature of ecumenical relations. African Independent Churches(AICs), Pentecostals, and Charismatic churches are often left out of such ecumenical gatherings.
Any part of the body of Christ that exists has surely come to stay.
Doctrines may differ, but Christ is not and will never be divided. The “we and them” or “stay away from them” syndrome that is keeping the churches in different compartments like cashew nuts is not healthy.
Paul says we each have a responsibility to ensure the unity of the church.
Firstly, we must live lives that are worthy of our discipleship. We have to “be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love.” And to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” because, “there is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
My friend, wherever we go and whichever way we think is the best, remember this: there is only “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” He does not change! And without him, we are nothing!
Weekend prayer: Holy Spirit, help me daily to live a life worthy of my calling, being completely humble and gentle. Amen!
Have a blessed weekend! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
05/06/2026.