By Kelly Steinhaus
In my mind, the most important characteristic of UniteBoston is unity (hence the name!). UniteBoston exists to better unite the Christian community in Boston through shared experiences. We want to use today’s technology to connect this community in ways that have not been possible before.
The Church today is largely made up of fragmented groups, which is not the way that Christ designed his church to operate. It’s not “my thing” and “your thing” but “our thing.” We are to be a body, with the hand connected to the feet, connected to the eyes, and all under the influence of the Head, which is Christ.
As in 1 Corinthians 12, each part of the body is valuable, unique, and special and serves a particular function within the whole. Yes, we must understand the microcosm of God’s work but we must also gain perspective on how it relates to the big picture; how Christ is living, moving, breathing throughout the city. When one group suffers, we must support it any way we can, similar to the way a body builds up and heals itself. Thus, UniteBoston exists to connect the dots, so to speak, between various Christian churches and ministries throughout the city.
As individuals, this will allow each of us to better connect with events and ministries throughout the city that match our interests/giftings. However, not only does unity build up believers within the church, but by strengthening the “web” and “infrastructure” of God’s work throughout a city, unity is also evangelistic. As in John 17, when we are one as He is one, the world will know that God has sent his son.
When Christians unite together, putting aside the denominational, cultural, and socioeconomic walls that have divided us and simply come around Christ, this unity will be a testimony to the power of the Holy Spirit. Then the world will know that there is something different about us. We will also be better able to meet the needs that exist throughout the city, to truly bless the city of Boston with the love of Christ.
Kelly Steinhaus is the UniteBoston Director of Operations, she can be reached at kelly@uniteboston.com