let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.
Unity through publicity works. Common goals, sense of corporate identity reinforced by branding, logos, t-shirts, merchandising. Getting the company "name" out there reinforces internal loyalty through a sense of belonging.
Churches that are growing use the same techniques, although often the church name or the Pastor's name is the unifying factor. Is this a bad thing? The Salvation Army is a good example of a church that made much of corporate branding. Does this necessarily mitigate against ecumenical unity under the name of Jesus. Are we not better able to relate to others when we are confident in our own identity?
In retrospect, I think what I am writing about is expressing the vision of a church or a movement clearly.... but some of the churches that push hard down this route can seem meretricious.
One thing is clear: God will not give His glory to another, and unless our primary identification is with Jesus, then we are building on sand, and our unity will be shortlived.
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