What causes church splits? How can healing occur after a church split?

TL;DR:

Church splits usually stem from pride, selfishness, or false teaching, leaving hurt and division behind. Healing begins when believers humble themselves, pursue forgiveness, and focus on gospel-centered unity under Christ.

what does the bible say?

Everyone is sinful, even believers. While believers are called to exemplify unity, sometimes sin is left unchecked, which can eventually lead to a split.

Scripture identifies several causes of church splits. The Corinthians demonstrated that people sometimes divide over loyalty to human leaders rather than to Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). James explained that selfish desires produce quarrels and fights (James 4:1–3). Some leaders, such as Diotrephes, seek power rather than accountability (3 John 9–10). False teaching can also divide a church, as can failure to address scandal or discipline properly (Galatians 1:6–9; 1 Corinthians 5:1–5).

Healing begins when the church returns to gospel priorities—truth, humility, and forgiveness. Unity is the goal of church members, but it is not automatic. Doctrinal disputes need to be settled by Scripture and wise leadership (Acts 15:1–31). Personal sin must be addressed through patient, biblical correction (Matthew 18:15–17). Repentant believers are to be restored (2 Corinthians 2:5–8). In short, unity grows as members bear with one another in love, reject bitterness, and speak words that build up (Ephesians 4:1–3; 29–32). Through prayer, humble leadership, and renewed focus on Christ, divided believers can find healing and once again reflect the unity of the gospel.

from the old testament

Disunity often comes from pride, rebellion, or misplaced leadership. The division of Israel under Rehoboam, for example, happened because of stubbornness, harshness, and an unwillingness to listen to wise counsel, which fractured the nation (1 Kings 12:1–20). Korah’s rebellion shows how pride and power struggles can tear apart God’s people (Numbers 16:1–35).
Healing requires repentance, humility, and a return to God’s ways. After seasons of division or unfaithfulness, Israel experienced restoration when leaders and people humbled themselves, sought the Lord, and renewed their covenant commitment (2 Chronicles 7:14; Nehemiah 8–10). God repeatedly brought unity when His people turned back to Him with sincerity.

from the new testament

Unity is one of the clearest marks of a healthy church. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one so that the world would see the truth of the gospel (John 17:20–23). Paul likewise urged believers to live “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” and to be eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:2–3). Unity means a shared commitment to truth, humility, and love. When done rightly, such commitment prevents many divisions and helps bring healing when splits do occur.
The Corinthians show what happens when believers lose that priority. Their church was fractured, with members claiming varying loyalties to Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ (1 Corinthians 1:10–13). Instead of following Christ together, they elevated human leaders and preferences. Paul rebuked them, reminding the church that only Christ was crucified for them and that no leader or group can claim higher spiritual standing than another. Today, this reminder serves as a corrective, urging us to prioritize gospel unity over personality-driven loyalties.
James exposes another root of division: selfish desire. He asks, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?” (James 4:1–3). When pride or envy dominate the heart, even minor differences between believers can become fuel for significant conflict. Healing begins when believers humble themselves before God, submitting their desires to Him and seeking peace.
Not all divisions are wrong, however. Paul warned the Galatians that a false gospel warrants separation (Galatians 1:6–9). Later, John encouraged the believing community that it was okay for others to leave because it showed they were not truly Christians (1 John 2:19). In short, when gospel truth is threatened, division is necessary to remain faithful to Christ. But disagreements over disputable matters—such as customs, opinions, or personal preferences—should be met with patience and love (Romans 14:1–4). Faithfulness to the gospel sometimes requires separation; faithfulness to love forbids it when the gospel itself is not at stake.
The Corinthians also reveal how unaddressed sin can split a church. Paul condemned their tolerance of open immorality and commanded them to remove the offender for the sake of the congregation's purity (1 Corinthians 5:1–5). Failing to confront sin allows division to fester, while godly discipline protects unity and preserves the church’s witness. When repentance occurs, forgiveness and restoration must follow so that sorrow does not overwhelm the sinner (2 Corinthians 2:5–8).

implications for today

Jesus’ goal is for His people to live in unity, even though, as sinners, we sometimes fail. Church splits grieve His heart, yet they remind us of our need for humility, repentance, and grace. Every believer should strive not to be part of the problem—avoiding gossip, pride, and bitterness—and, when possible, to pursue peace with those on the other side. When doctrinal faithfulness remains intact, divided believers should continue to treat one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, longing for the day when all will be united again under one Shepherd.

Church splits often leave deep pain and confusion in their wake. When relationships are suddenly broken and fellowship is lost, it can feel as though the work of Christ has failed. Yet even when a local church cannot come back together—and most do not after a split—Jesus is still building His church. His kingdom is larger than any one congregation, and His plan cannot be undone by human weakness.

No believer or church is perfect. Splits are one of the sad results of sin still present in our hearts. Remembering this truth keeps us humble and guards us from bitterness toward those who have left or remained. Christ’s grace is enough to heal wounds, soften anger, and restore our perspective. He uses even painful seasons to purify His people and remind us that unity is found in Him, not in a specific expression of His church.

If you are living through the aftermath of a split, be a source of calm and peace. Pray for both sides, speak kindly to all, and refrain from defending or assigning blame. Assuming that those who left are still faithful to the gospel, treat them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Strive to build unity wherever you are, trusting that Jesus is still at work to gather, strengthen, and sanctify His church until the day He returns and gathers all believers together.

understand

Church splits often stem from pride, selfishness, false teaching, or unaddressed sin.
Healing requires humility, forgiveness, and gospel-centered reconciliation.
True unity is in Christ, and believers should pursue peace and trust God.

reflect

How have pride or selfish desires affected your relationships with believers?
How can you practice humility and forgiveness to help heal divisions around you?
Asre there areas in your heart where bitterness or loyalty to people over Christ might hinder unity?

engage

How can a church discern when separation is necessary versus when reconciliation is possible?
What practical steps can believers take to work toward unity after a split without compromising truth?
How can focusing on gospel-centered priorities prevent future divisions in a congregation?