It is said of Bengali people, “One Bengali is a poet; two Bengalis constitute a political party; and three Bengalis are two political parties.” This seems to be the case of Christians in India. Among Indian Christians are adherents to the thousands of international Christian denominations. Plus numerous regional, ethnic, linguistic and local divisions and splinter groups. We read in history that the British employed the technique of divide and rule in its colonies. But Satan had succeeded in effecting major divisions in the Church centuries before. It is a sad state that the Body of Christ is still being cut into pieces by a handful of petty leaders on petty issues. Especially among Protestant and Pentecostal denominations the major message of the Word of God to the Church – to be united, as Christ said, “So that you may be one” – is discarded for their own convenient interpretation of biblical doctrine, or even regional, non-biblical customs or traditions.

The idea that there should be only one ecumenical Church in the world is not promoted here. As Paul says though the body is one there are different functions, duties and place for each organ of the body. The Body of Christ – the Church – is one. But the different denominations came about according to the specific differences in revelation they received. With their special interpretation of doctrines, and regional, ethnic or linguistic focus and emphasis, different denominations can and should work together as members of the same Body – the Church. The fact that such unity among Indian Christian denominations has been lacking is evident from the history of Indian Church. But, wherever and whenever the churches and denominations had come together in a city as one Body for ministry, there the Hand of God had been revealed.

The Indian Church is at a major cross-road now. It is facing unprecedented challenges from different quarters. Many states have passed anti conversion laws. Often land for church building is denied. It seems that the nation has forgotten the selfless services of Christian missionaries in the fields of education, health, care for the destitute, old and the sick, and also social upliftment of the downtrodden and the outcastes. In many parts of the nation where such missionaries toiled for years to render their service to the needy, they were respected so far. But now they are hunted, chased away, beaten up, raped or even murdered by religious fanatics due to the vicious propaganda of a certain section of the political spectrum.

If there is a time for Indian denominations to unite, it is NOW! The Parliament elections are about to take place. Our usual indifference to the democratic process in India no longer holds any value. The Christian community as a whole should work together in the political process to ensure that our voice is heard, and the fundamental rights of minorities are protected. Of course, God can work miracles, but only when we are united in prayer. It is time to kneel down and pray together with one mind keeping aside the petty doctrinal differences. It is time to come out and be involved in the political process so that godly persons can exert positive influence on legislature and the executive of the nation. Already some denominations are taking efforts on such united prayer and action. But to face the present challenges, the prayer and commitment of every denomination and church and individual Christian is required. United, we stand; divided, we fall!