Sheri Yutzy - Speculative Fiction Author

  • About
  • Stories
  • Contact
  • Magic Forest Proofreading
You are here: Home / All Posts / Uniformity is not Unity

Uniformity is not Unity

September 30, 2018 by Sheri

I appreciate many things about my Mennonite culture. I love that modesty[1] and a separation from worldliness are highly valued[2].

To my concern, however, I have noticed that in our desire to be modest and separate from the world, we seem to have adopted a false belief. It is this:

Since we are called to be unified as a church, the only way we can achieve that and remain modest and separate from the world is to look as nearly the same as possible.

A church that holds this belief requires its members to submit to a certain way of dress and reject others as wrong, regardless of whether other ways are modest. The danger increases as children grow up believing that their way is right and other ways are wrong, even if other ways are not wrong.

When uniformity is confused with unity, true unity is neglected. When Paul wrote Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,” he knew that it needed to begin with our hearts and minds. When our minds are renewed to be like Christ’s, then we can find true unity, because our minds will all be from the same place. But there is and must remain diversity within the church. Gary Miller writes in Church Matters, “Unity within the body of Christ has been misconstrued to mean that everyone should be identical.” Dependence on uniformity allows us to simply tolerate each other while uniform on the outside, but requiring nothing of our hearts.

Dressing the same is not wrong, and can even be helpful. The danger lies in relying on dressing and even acting the same to create false unity. I pray and long for this unhealthy reliance to be replaced with sacrificial love—which might mean allowing something different—which will lead to true unity.

[1] Likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. I Tim 2:9-10

[2] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

 

Filed Under: All Posts

Comments

  1. Greg says

    October 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm

    … and then make such uniformity a prerequisite for baptism. And communion.

    • Sheri says

      October 3, 2018 at 7:00 pm

      I know, such practices worry me deeply. May God give us wisdom to discern how we can best glorify Him in our churches.

  2. Lori says

    October 2, 2018 at 3:51 am

    Amen, Sister!:) I think if God would value uniformity so highly he would’ve made the birds to all be one species… but there are no two alike!! Many beautiful varieties, of many different colors, sizes, shapes etc, yet they all are of”one mind”as it were to offer praises to their Creator.

    • Sheri says

      October 3, 2018 at 6:58 pm

      Yes, Lori, that is a good analogy. So different, and yet united in their purpose. It’s a beautiful picture of what we are meant to be! Thanks for reading.

Want free stories, discounts, and other forest magic?Join my newsletter!

I like sending free stories to my friends.
Join the list and get a free ebook copy of Stories of the Stars, my speculative short story collection!

About Sheri

Here Goes Something New!

Hi, I'm Sheri Yutzy. I love forests under the night sky, trying new foods, and drinking Irish tea.
I'm married to a musician who looks good in black, mama to two toddlers who love to eat, and happy resident of a Cape Cod cottage in Ohio.
I write YA fantasy and am acquisitions editor at sparkflashfiction.com.
Join my email list for free fiction!

Follow Along

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Find some magic with me!

sheriyutzyauthor

In which I attempt to capture Finn’s heartbreaki In which I attempt to capture Finn’s heartbreaking blue eyes. This is the closest I’ve come, I think. He does like to smile, but of course not when I have my fascinating phone out to take pictures.😏

#slowliving #blueeyedbabyboy
I’m only partway through The Other Side of the S I’m only partway through The Other Side of the Sky, but I’m getting serious Strange the Dreamer vibes. The cultures are beautiful, and literally falling from one into the other is so fun to read about.
Have you read this one? Or Strange the Dreamer, by Laini Taylor?

🌿🌿🌿
#yafantasyauthor #theothersideofthesky #amiekauffmanandjaykristoff #yafantasy #whitehostaflower #slowliving #cottagecore #cottagegarden
The husband and I had a lovely little date yesterd The husband and I had a lovely little date yesterday morning—the first in a long time. We visited a delightful new-to-us coffee shop (@speakeasycanalfulton!) and walked along the canal. The air was still and summery, and this mama deer and her babies were completely unconcerned by our presence.
I want to see all these lily pads in bloom one day—I only saw one white flower.

#july #eriecanal #canalfulton #slowliving #waterwalk #mamadeer
Ice cream stop with this little guy. I gave him a Ice cream stop with this little guy. I gave him a taste and he seemed impressed. I can’t wait until he’s big enough to eat things! I love watching the experience different tastes.
🍦🍦🍦
.
.
.
#slowliving #icecreamdays #blueeyedboy
Load More... Follow on Instagram

My Book Progress

Spiraldown
Phase:Writing
31.8%
MyBookProgress by Author Media

Goodreads

Let’s keep in touch!

You'll be the first to know about new discounts, free stories just for subscribers, and beta reader openings. Feel free to sign up!

© 2022 Sheri Yutzy | Site by EY-PHOTO-WEB

 

Loading Comments...