Bad politics in the body of Christ: Implications for Missions and Unity

The presence of bad politics within the body of Christ remains a significant challenge to the Church’s witness, mission, and unity. While the Church is called to embody the values of love, humility, and service, political manipulation, favoritism, power struggles, and factionalism often undermine this calling. Such practices, rooted in human pride and self-interest, distort leadership selection processes, erode trust, and breed divisions among believers. These divisions weaken the Church’s credibility before the watching world and hinder collaborative efforts in evangelism, discipleship, and social engagement. Moreover, internal political conflicts distract from the Great Commission mandate, causing resources and energy to be diverted from mission work to resolving disputes. Scripture emphasizes that unity is not merely organizational but spiritual—rooted in the shared identity in Christ (John 17:20–23; 1 Corinthians 1:10). Therefore, overcoming bad politics requires intentional cultivation of biblical leadership values, transparent decision-making, and commitment to reconciliation. By confronting political dysfunctions with humility and accountability, the Church can restore its prophetic voice and effectively fulfill its mission mandate. This paper examines the theological, missional, and ethical implications of bad politics in the Church and offers practical pathways toward restoring unity for effective Christian witness in the contemporary world.