Are We Headed for a Denominational Schism?

We find ourselves a little more than two months from what is shaping up to be a very consequential Triennial Convention. August 17-21 the delegate body will have discussions about our denominational identity and priorities. We will have critical discussions that have the potential to shape our future in profound ways.

The most prominent and substantial issues are a proposed whole-clothe revision of the Declaration of Principles, one amendment to the articles of association and three by-law changes. Each of these has been met with varying degrees of support or opposition. Much ink (or many pixels) has been spent defending or critiquing the various proposals. All have evoked strong debate in the ether of the internet and in various conference and church meetings. And strong debate is appropriate as these are very serious issues with potentially eternal consequences. The real shame would be if nobody cared.

Because convictions are deep, emotions have at times run hot. This has led some to decry the entire enterprise of introducing these kinds of major changes fearing the resultant debate along with its accompanying passions will be divisive to our denominational unity and fellowship. What happens when the votes are counted and one side wins and another loses? Will that cause some to leave our fellowship?

Are these strong disagreements and spirited debate just a fast track to a denominational schism? Maybe, but I don’t think it has to be. Nor do I think it is likely to be. Whether it is divisive or not really has less to do with the proposals than the way people conduct themselves and respond to the outcome of the votes.

I do not believe this debate, nor the subsequent votes, will end with the various factions fracturing our fellowship. There are at least three reasons I believe this.

First, I want to believe that most everyone who is talking, blogging, posting, replying, meeting and debating about the issues loves Jesus and has the best interest of the denomination in mind. As Christians, we know the grace and mercy we have received from God the Father through Jesus the Son. I believe that remembering the grace and forgiveness we have received will move us to show grace and forgiveness toward one another. The Holy Spirit can bring whatever correction is needed to our hearts, minds and mouths. Faithful believers will submit to his correction, showing humility, love and patience toward one another.

Second, I know the Lord is good and faithful. This is perhaps my biggest reason for confidence. He loves the unity of his people (Jesus died for it – John 17:21) and despite any sinful divisive behavior on our parts, he is patient and powerful. I trust him to not just protect us from dividing. I know he can bring greater unity among our AC family than we have now because he has used fierce debate among faithful believers before as a catalyst to greater unity and missional focus.

The Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 is a great example of this. The impetus for the gathering is found in verse 1, “But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’” This was a pivotal moment for the nascent church. The very gospel itself was at stake. The future of the church as at stake, and people had strong opinions.

Notice in verse 2, “And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.” Again, once everyone was gathered in Jerusalem, “The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe’” (Acts 15:6–7).

There was strong disagreement and robust debate. Was the unity of the church in danger? Potentially, but it didn’t split. Instead, the gospel was clarified and the unity of the church greatly strengthened. Why?

For one thing, debate in and of itself, no matter how fierce, is not necessarily bad or divisive. The language in Acts 15 seems to suggest the debate was quite intense, as it should have been given what was at stake. This demonstrates how debate can serve to sanctify and sharpen us. The church gained a richer understanding of the gospel. They seemed to grow in love and respect for one another. This was all because of the debate, not despite it.

The debate was good and productive in part because of the spiritual maturity of those involved. Though passionate, it seemed to be an honest and respectful exchange of views. For instance, when one person spoke, everyone else listened quietly (v.12). There was a mutual respect, and likely love for everyone there, even those who were seen as opponents.

Spiritual maturity was further demonstrated as the entire group submitted themselves to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. “For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements” (Acts 15:28). Perhaps the main reason all this led to greater unity and not the splintering of the church was the work of the Spirit in the hearts and minds of the assembly. The Lord worked not just to preserve the unity of his church. He worked to intensify it.

At the Jerusalem Council, fierce debate over fundamental issues of the faith didn’t lead to the division of the young church. Instead, the Lord used that event to clarify the gospel and strengthen the unity of his church. And I believe the same thing can happen for us in August.

It’s good that we’re having hard conversations about eternally important things. Have things been messy and might they be messy at Triennial? Almost assuredly. They may even be a little painful. But these deliberations have the potential to improve us; to help sharpen our thinking on biblical truth and to sanctify us to a place of greater Christlikeness as we navigate the messiness together. We’re not accustomed to this kind of robust theological discussion where we have so much disagreement. So, it has the potential to be ugly until we learn to have these conversations in a fruitful manner. The key will be that we all “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1–3).

Biblical unity is more than not fighting. It’s more than everyone’s being generally amicable toward one another. It is “standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). Fierce debate, as long as it is conducted with mutual respect, honesty, grace, charity and humility, can move God’s people to greater unity. We know because it has happened before.

Ultimately the entire assembly, not just the apostles, made the decision of the right path forward (Acts 15:22). In the same spirit, our entire body of delegates will decide the fate of the proposed business items. I am confident that if everyone who has the Spirit and submits to him, our denominational unity is not in danger, whatever the vote count. The Lord is good and he loves and desires the unity of his people. He will be working for that. So, I believe that the 2026 Triennial could go down in history as the moment the Lord brought clarity of identity and calling and greater unity to the Advent Christian people.

We hope that if you’re not already registered, you’ll join us for the convention August 17-21 in Black Mountain. If you have registered, we look forward to seeing you in less than two months. We hope everyone comes prepared and ready to vote your convictions. Registration is open until July 15. You can find all the registration and lodging information at acgc.us/triennial. If you would like to learn more about the most significant items of business here are several links to acquaint yourself with the various documents:

• Proposed 2026 Declaration of Principles
• Report of the Organizational Structure Task Force
• Proposed By-law Changes
• Proposed Special Rule for Voting on the Declaration of Principles

Finally, please pray for this gathering. Pray the Lord will indeed “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” He can. And I believe he will.