Christian Unity Across Denominations: What 16 Months of Church Visits in New Zealand Taught Our Family

It’s easy to look around today and feel like the Church is more divided than united. Scroll social media or sit in on a theological debate, and you’ll hear believers tossing words like “unbiblical,” “lukewarm,” or “not Spirit-filled” at other Christians—often because they worship or express their faith a little differently.

But over the past 16 months of traveling around Aotearoa with our whānau, we discovered something powerful: God’s Church is more united than we think.

We Visited Dozens of Christian Churches in New Zealand

As we traveled in our caravan from region to region, we intentionally visited different types of churches. And let me tell you—we encountered the living God in every single one.

We worshipped in:

• Catholic Churches

• Pentecostal Churches

• Anglican Churches

• Baptist Churches

• Methodist and Presbyterian congregations

• Charismatic fellowships

• Non-denominational gatherings

• And even tiny churches without a denominational label at all.

In each expression, God’s Word was faithfully proclaimed, and Jesus was glorified. The theology, music, or service structure may have varied, but one thing was consistent: the Holy Spirit was at work.

Christian Unity Doesn’t Mean Sameness

One of the most freeing revelations was this: unity in the Body of Christ doesn’t mean uniformity. We’re not called to all worship the same way, preach the same style, or use the same liturgical structure.

Paul wrote it beautifully in 1 Corinthians 12:12–13:

“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body… For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.”

The Church is like a body: different parts, same purpose. When we try to make everyone function like us, we lose the beauty of God’s design. Unity isn't about having the same flavor—it's about serving the same Savior.

What Jesus Prayed for You and Me

It’s worth remembering that Jesus’ final prayer before going to the cross wasn’t for power or influence or safety. It was for unity.

In John 17:20–21, He said:

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you… so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

Our unity as believers is not a side issue—it’s central to our witness to the world. If we want others to believe Jesus was truly sent by God, we must reflect the supernatural unity of the Trinity.

The Enemy Wants Division, but God Calls Us to Stand Together

It’s no coincidence that division is one of Satan’s most effective tactics. He knows a divided Church is a weakened Church. He wants us isolated, suspicious, and hypercritical of each other.

But Scripture urges us otherwise:

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”—1 Peter 5:8

“Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”—Ephesians 4:3

When we gossip about other churches, question their salvation, or treat fellow believers with contempt over differences of practice, we’re playing into the devil’s hands.

But when we walk in love, rooted in truth, and celebrate the diversity in God’s family, we stand as a united front. And that kind of unity carries real power.

Our Journey Showed Us the Beauty of the Global Church

New Zealand is diverse—not just in landscape, but in the Church. We’ve sat under teaching in Māori and English. We’ve knelt in quiet liturgical services and danced in exuberant worship. We’ve taken communion from robed priests and laid hands on strangers in fire-filled prayer meetings.

And through it all, we kept seeing the same Jesus.

Let me say it plainly: The Church isn’t dying. It's more alive and more diverse than we often realize.

Revival doesn’t have to look one way. In fact, it probably won’t.

“It takes a variety of churches to reach a variety of people.” Rick Warren

A Challenge to Every Christian Reading This

So here’s the question: Are you open to seeing Christ in believers who worship differently than you? Will you champion unity, or just critique from the sidelines?

Here are a few practical ways to live this out:

• Visit a different denomination this month. Just once. Go to receive, not to judge.

• Pray for a church in your city that you’ve never been to. Ask God to bless their leaders and their impact.

• Speak life when other believers bash another church.

“We are one in Christ—let us be friends with one another for Christ’s sake.” Charles Spurgeon (Preacher)

Final Thought: One Body, Many Parts, One Mission

As Paul says in Romans 12:4–5:

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function… so we, though many, are one body in Christ.”

Let’s stop critiquing the flavor of worship. Let’s start celebrating the feast of grace that Jesus has invited us all to.

Let’s keep the conversation going: What church tradition helped you see God in a new way?

Share your thoughts with us.