In the final months of 2020, Church United held a region-wide sermon series on the topic of unity. In an effort to bring churches together, a few worship leaders from different churches gathered together to write an anthem to go along with the sermon series. The resulting song, Undivided, would soon be sung in several churches all over south Florida in the coming weeks.

Tim Ehrhart, who produced the track, was also one of the worship leaders at the co-write organized by Village Hymns. He described his experience:

“Here were other people with different church names, different talents, different stories coming together because we shared one heart: to see God move and be glorified in our region. And that was exactly what we were trying to capture in a four-minute song. We didn’t need inspiration or even the topic. God was already doing something among us, and we just needed to pour out and put words to what He’s already doing in us.” 

 

This is where everything changes

The bridge of Undivided is based on Ephesians 4:4-6, but the preceding verses describe the basis of church unity. The second verse reads: “Be completely humble and gentle, be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Philippians 2:2 has a similar message. Paul wrote to the church, “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” The earth is filled with billions of individuals who hold differing traditions, perspectives, and cultures; contradicting beliefs will inevitably arise in an environment with more than one person. How is it possible to be like-minded with those around you?

For believers, there is only one Word of God, one gospel, one way to be saved. Paul writes that there is one body under Christ. Unity is not only possible, but necessary. All members of that body are to love one another just as Christ loved the members. Jesus says, “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:25). Unity is part of our testimony as believers, it sets us apart from the world and distinguishes us as God’s children. 

 

There is one body, one hope, one spirit, one Lord

Ephesians 4:4-6a expresses the theme of Undivided: “There is one body and one spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.”

“It’s an encouragement of what we are in Him,” says Julie Anne Vargas, co-writer on the song. “The song came together from that place, and we wanted to sing about what we believed was already true about us, and then how powerful it would be when we experience unity, and that’s where everything changes for us.”

Released on November 1, 2020, Undivided was sung in several churches across south Florida during their worship services. Jamie Jacobs, another co-writer on Undivided and a local worship leader wrote, “Right here in South Florida, pastors, worship leaders, churches have been coming together for the purpose of building each other up, helping each other out, and figuring out together how we collectively can love and care for our city.”

Village Hymns is excited to release Undivided (Live), featuring their Worship Leader Cohort on March 30. We hope you’ll dwell on the concept of unity as you listen and give praise to the One who is worthy of it all.

 

If you’re a worship leader interested in getting involved with Village Hymns please email [email protected] or visit our website at villagehymns.com/get-involved. Amber Grete is the Music Publishing and Marketing Manager of Village Hymns.

For more on Village Hymns, visit goodnewsfl.org/uniting-the-church-in-worship/