ABSTRACT

When a church community decides to implement a teaching curriculum for spiritual formation, what guiding principles for Christian identity should be included in this process? With many Christian perspectives and beliefs involved in the life of any given community, it is necessary to find a way to reconcile the tension that can result in the potential conflict of these voices. By highlighting several key concepts of Christian tradition that have delineated the purpose of unity among diversity—Paul’s model of the “body” of Christ collaborating as one unit, the implications of Trinitarian theology for church practice, and the historical development of both curriculum material and American ecumenical pursuits—the tension between heeding diverse perspectives of Christian belief and maintaining continuity for a single community can be better managed and directed. Thus, to help direct a community’s decision for curriculum teaching, it is important that those involved in this process find a way to give ear to the diverse perspectives and values of their congregation, to include the community as a stakeholder in its own development, and to consistently keep the vision of unity in mind as the community navigates through future curriculum decisions.