I’m praying about some things, things that deeply disturb me. Mainly the deep divisions among us. So much so that, even ministries here on the PraiseNet have started cutting themselves off from one another—which is the exact opposite of the purpose of this ministry.

Over the last few months, several churches have told me, “Take this link off,” or, “We don’t want to be linked to them,” or, “Don’t mention that ministry or them folk,” and so forth. “We don’t want t lend the appearance of affirming them,” I’ve been told. “We are not in relationship with them.”

The church at Ephesus had one set of problems and the church on the island of Crete had another set of problems and the church at Corinth was struggling with its own set of issues, and, I’d imagine, those diverse groups of Christians would be emailing me, telling me not to link their sites, as well. But, let’s look at what the Bible has to say about all of this. Ephesians 4:

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

This is biblical. Cutting ourselves off from one another is not. Therefore, effective 1 January, the PraiseNet will be one body. Your church either wants to be part of this body or not. All supported ministries will be listed in our directory and linked to one another. If that doesn’t work for you, please find somebody else to handle your website.

The purpose of this web ministry is to support African American churches and ministries and foster our obvious strength in unity. We can’t do that by building walls. By looking over at a church and saying, “Well, we don’t want to be associated with them or their issues.” By punishing churches you feel have strayed; punishing isn’t ever our job [Romans 12:19].

All of your churches—ALL of them—are listed in the same yellow pages. The same city phone book. You’re not calling them and asking them to not put you on the same page as thus-and-so-church.

Linking these sites together doesn’t necessarily indicate we all affirm everything one another does anymore than listing your church on the same page in the yellow pages does. It merely affirms that we all believe the same basic doctrine, a doctrine that absolutely requires us to be one body, undivided, and that we have patience, forbearance, for those among us who aren’t “up to our standards.” So that’s the new doctrine, the take-it-or-leave-it doctrine. Either you’re part of the PraiseNet, part of this body, or you’re not.