Can we all just get along?
E Pluribus Unum: “Out of many, one.” This motto is emblazoned on the Great Seal of the United States, but it could be the church’s model, too. Unfortunately, the daily experience of many Christians and churches feels like the opposite: out of one, many. We are increasingly aware of what makes us different from others, and it is hurting the church and its witness.
All Together Different will help readers understand why we find it so difficult “to just get along.” Drawing from research on personal and group identity, it equips readers to navigate a culture that often pays lip service to the value of diversity, but struggles to foster constructive dialogue and mutual respect. With clear writing and real-life stories, All Together Different translates social identity theory for pastors, church leaders, and ministry practitioners, exposing it to the light of biblical and theological reflection.
From the Back Cover
WHAT SOCIAL IDENTITY CAN TEACH US ABOUT CHURCH UNITY
Our attempts to foster church unity typically don’t turn out the way we’d hoped. Why? Because we fail to understand how community and identity interact. People form groups; it’s part of what it means to be human. Once formed, groups come into conflict with each other—even within the church. It’s not a question of if, but how. Simply focusing on our commonalities isn’t enough. Trying to stop people from forming groups won’t work. We need to get to the heart of the issue: identity.
Drawing from Scripture and social identity theory, All Together Different will teach you what moves people from “us vs. them” to “we together,” while maintaining diverse group identities. Whether you’re dealing with racial tensions, gender divides, generational gaps, or cultural preferences, you’ll learn how to promote unity and prevent conflict for the glory of God.