The Forgotten Doctrine of Unity
Rediscovering God's Grand Design from Creation to Eternity
Why Unity Matters
The Forgotten Doctrine of Unity explores one of the Bible's most important yet often overlooked themes: God's desire for His people to live in genuine, visible unity.
Drawing from Scripture, especially Jesus' powerful prayer in John 17, this book traces unity from the perfect fellowship of the Trinity, through creation, the fall, and Christ's redemptive work, all the way to its ultimate fulfillment in eternity. It shows how unity is not optional for Christians but is central to the gospel and a powerful witness to the world.
Written in a clear, pastoral, and practical style, it includes reflection questions, discussion prompts, and a complete Leader Guide, making it ideal for personal study, small groups, and churches seeking to strengthen fellowship and reflect the heart of Christ.
At its core, this book calls believers to pursue the unity Jesus prayed for, a unity rooted in humility, love, and the power of the Holy Spirit.
About the Author
Roger Allen Burns, known to his friends as Allen, spent the first half of his life in sales and marketing before realizing that pursuit left him unfulfilled. That restlessness led him to full‑time ministry.
He began his ministry work as a camp director with Child Evangelism Fellowship. During a CEF conference, he and his wife sensed a clear call to overseas missions and moved to South Africa, where they helped launch new ministries and train local leaders.
Allen later transitioned into church ministry and served as pastor of Christ Community Church in Plainfield, New Hampshire, where he preached weekly, discipled families, and provided pastoral care.
His heart for unity has grown through decades of walking with people through real life and pointing them to the hope found in Christ. Much of the material in this book was shaped by his life, vocational, and ministry experiences. Forty‑five years of marriage, raising six children, leadership roles, and pastoral work gave him a front‑row seat to unity being tested and strengthened in practical ways.
The message of this book was distilled after preaching a series on unity and spending significant time in John 17, where he became convinced that Jesus’ greatest prayer request for His church is unity.
Allen lives in Washington State and enjoys time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He also enjoys traveling to new places, reading, pottery, and a variety of hobbies.