From Division to Unity: A Guide to Healing Church Splits

I never wanted to be an expert on church splits. I never imagined that every church I pastored would have its origins in division. Yet, looking back, I see that God was preparing me for something greater-not just to lead congregations but to bring healing, order, and stability to churches that had been torn apart. Each church split I encountered was different. At Southside First Baptist in Kansas City, I pastored those who remained after a painful division. The challenge wasn't just preaching and leading; it was helping people heal from the hurt of those who had left. At Prince of Peace in Peoria, I found myself in the opposite position-leading a group that had walked away from their former church. That experience taught me how difficult it is to build something new without carrying the baggage of the past. And when I founded New Cornerstone Baptist Church, it was another story entirely-a church born from division, but with an opportunity to create something fresh, something healthy, something rooted in unity rather than past wounds. Church splits leave behind deep wounds. Friendships are broken, trust is shattered, and bitterness lingers if it's not confronted with grace. I've seen people walk away from the church entirely-not because they lost faith in God, but because they lost faith in His people. That's why I'm writing this book. Not to assign blame, not to relive the pain, but to offer wisdom, healing, and a path forward for churches and pastors navigating the fallout of division. If you've ever been in a split-whether you stayed, left, or started over- you know the pain it brings. But I also want you to know this: division is not the end of the story. With God's help, what was once broken can be rebuilt. What was once divided can be united. This book is about that journey. A journey From Division to Unity.