The Unity Church of Tomorrow.

One of the most pressing issues facing Unity leaders today is how do we most effectively  teach Unity truth to those who want to hear it. Do we continue trying to act like a church and have Sunday lessons and Sunday worship services, or do we revert to the Fillmorian concept of study groups, prayer groups and small gatherings where truth is taught and prayer is offered. In those times, Unity didn't compete with other Christian denominations. After all, so much of what Unity teaches can be garnered by individuals through personal reading, informal book study groups, or simply being a loner working these truth principles in solitary. Why would individuals come together to form a community in order to study truth? It seems perfectly reasonable that one could learn truth principles from internet websites, motivational speakers, specialized workshops, small informal groups meeting in coffee shops and conference rooms, and a personal commitment to spiritual growth and unfoldment, without having to attend church or a community on Sunday mornings. What does a Unity church constitute? What are the ingredients in a Unity church service that make its existence not only worthwhile but able to thrive? What aspects of traditional church services are found in a Unity church? Does the existing paradigm of church structure and order fit with Unity theology? 

Unfortunately, the Unity movement is not in a position at this time to answer all these questions, however many view such a nebulous condition as good. They might say that the Unity movement is constantly unfolding, changing and morphing into something new every day. No one would disagree with this idea; nevertheless it’s like the old saying” if you don’t know where you are, it makes going anywhere darn near impossible”.

I am not sure that walking into a Unity church, the visitor should find chairs in a row, hymnals, candles, a podium, a piano, and all the other accouterments found in the traditional church. If Unity is different, and in my mind, there is little doubt of that, perhaps we should look different. Perhaps we should conduct our services differently, with uniqueness and a flare for the spiritual seeker. Did I hear someone say “church in the round”, a “guide” not a minister, seekers not a congregation, questions and answers discussed during the service, time in the silence without interruption, and performers (dancers, musicians, drummers, and artists). 

Well you say, you can change the structure, but we still need a church, a place to experience God, a place to come together in community and be part of something bigger than yourself; to welcome visitors and guests and to give them the opportunity for spiritual growth that you and I have had. This is most assuredly true, but where Unity is going, I don’t think any religious group has gone before, and we better figure out where we are now so we can get there tomorrow.

Unity churches are generally divided into two camps. The Fillmore camp, where practical Christianity is taught, Jesus is talked about and the Bible is read from, and the New Age camp, where “self- help” concepts are talked about and anything which might be considered Spiritual is taught.  I believe the Fillmore camp congregations can be considered churches in the sense that they are a Christian community coming together to move more deeply into a Christian experience. The New Age camp congregations are indeed more of a Spiritual Center where people come together to socialize and to be around people of like minds. 

There might be a third camp arising within the Unity movement which could be called the “Unified Religious Sect”, which are those centers where several religions are taught and possibly practiced. This new movement is certainly more of a center, than a church, a center for education, enrichment and intellectual growth.

Now is a great time to decide which train we want to be the conductor for, and my guess is , most of us already have decided. If that is the case, let’s be clear with our intentions and not be swayed by what others are doing or saying. We are here to be of maximum service to our brothers and sisters,and we are  on our own “God endorsed” mission to lead others on their path toward spiritual freedom and unconditional love. In the meantime, let's enjoy the ride. You never know what lies ahead around the next bend, especially in a Unity Community.