Winner of a 2013 Leadership Journal Book Award (“Our Very Short List” in “The Leader’s Outer Life” category)

2014 Readers’ Choice Awards Honorable Mention

Despite Jesus’ prayer that all Christians “be one,” divisions have been epidemic in the body of Christ from the beginning to the present. We cluster in theological groups, gender groups, age groups, ethnic groups, educational and economic groups. We criticize freely those who disagree with us, don’t look like us, don’t act like us and don’t even like what we like.

Though we may think we know why this happens, Christena Cleveland says we probably don’t. In this eye-opening book, learn the hidden reasons behind conflict and divisions. Learn:

• Why I think all my friends are unique but those in other groups are all the same
• Why little differences often become big sources of conflict
• Why categorizing others is often automatic and helpful but can also have sinister side effects
• Why we are so often victims of groupthink and how we can avoid it
• Why women think men are judging them more negatively than men actually are, and vice versa
• Why choices of language can actually affect unity

With a personal touch and the trained eye of a social psychologist, Cleveland brings to bear the latest studies and research on the unseen dynamics at work that tend to separate us from others. Learn why Christians who have a heart for unity have such a hard time actually uniting. The author provides real insight for ministry leaders who have attempted to build bridges across boundaries.

Here are the tools we need to understand how we can overcome the hidden forces that divide us.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT DISUNITY IN CHRIST

“Disunity in Christ is not only a source of education, but is also a source of hope that the work of reconciliation is possible, necessary and not done in vain.” — Ryan Herring, Sojourners

“In Disunity in Christ, Christena Cleveland keenly points out why Christians who have a heart for unity have such a hard time actually uniting, and offers wisdom on how we might begin to listen to and work with others who differ from us.” — Chris Smith, Relevant Magazine

“Weaving together research from social psychology with engaging—and sometimes hilarious!—stories from her own life, Christena Cleveland has given us a unique and important work on a matter of extreme importance. Written with a clarity and style that is accessible to all, this marvelous book is as informative as it is practical, as challenging as it is entertaining, and as insightful as it is fun (yes, a book on reconciliation that is fun!). Every Christian concerned about reconciliation in the church–and all Christians should be–will benefit from reading Disunity in Christ.” — Greg Boyd, Senior Pastor, Woodland Hills Church, Maplewood, Minnesota

“What I love about Christena’s work is that it is consistently thoughtful, gracious, and PRACTICAL. Few writers are able to instruct without condescending, question without growing cynical, and challenge without hurting.” — Rachel Held Evans, New York Times Best Selling Author, Searching For Sunday

“Disunity in Christ is a very significant book for twenty-first-century Christians and congregations. Using accessible language and concepts, Christena Cleveland offers profound insights from social psychology to clarify the many reasons for the troubling and rampant divisions found in Christianity. She also suggests very practical strategies for creating greater unity. This book is a must-read for pastors, lay leaders, seminarians and college students. The integrity of Christianity depends on a church not only committed to reconciliation but moving toward real unity. Cleveland unveils a clear, compelling and realistic path to get us there.” — Curtiss Paul DeYoung, Co-Author Of Radical Reconciliation: Beyond Christian Pietism And Political Quietism

“With a personal touch and the trained eye of a social psychologist, Cleveland brings to bear the latest studies and research on the unseen dynamics at work that tend to separate us from others.” —Light Magazine

About the Author