 |
| from: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NDxnBD08Vyo/TvpdOxFib0I/AAAAAAAACWs/cEgvlVEcxPs/s1600/join+us.jpg |
As
we read the Acts of the Apostles it's easy to get caught up in the excitement
of the number of churches started and their amazing growth as people were
converted to Jesus. But a closer look
also reveals that most every church either suffered from persecution and/or
experienced conflict. If we read one of
the stories as recorded in Acts 11:10-26, we read an important message Barnabas
gave to the new church at Antioch:
remain true to the Lord with all your heart! When we, the church, face conflict -- and we
do, and we will (I've never yet found a perfect church!), where we especially
need to remain steadfast is in terms of our mission. There is really only one purpose and
mission: make disciples! But our tendency is to make church about us
-- what I like or what I don't like. And
we naturally gravitate towards becoming a social club. When that happens, trouble is not far
behind! So much of Paul's letters to the
various church was in response to conflict and/or churches having lost their
focus and sense of priority. How many
times might we hear a church member say, "I'm not going to church
anymore." "I don't like the
music they sing." "I don't
like the Pastor's sermon."
"I'm not giving any more money to that church until they get their
act together." The truth is: church is not about us -- not me and not
you! It's about God and the mission of
making disciples! So the call for us
today is this: renew our commitment to
our membership vows or to the spiritual disciplines that keep us aligned with
God. #1 is prayer. It's past time for us to be a church of
prayer -- to discern what God is saying to the church and where God is moving
by His Spirit. #2 is presence. Where ever we are, especially at church, to
be present (and so much the more in these difficult and stressful times),
considering "how we may spur one another on toward love and good
deeds." (Hebrews 10:23-25) #3 is
gifts. Stewardship is not optional. We don't give when things are going well and
withhold our tithes/offerings when things aren't going our way. Withholding our gifts is like putting a
shield over our heads and telling God "I no longer want your
blessing." I believe Malachi had it
right when he warned that such a position is robbing God. God is not able to bless what we don't
give. When conflict comes, our tendency
is to stop praying, withdraw, and stop giving.
The best response to conflict is that we need to pray more, attend more
and give more. It's those spiritual
disciplines that will get us through the tough times! "God, revive us again, and set our
hearts on fire, to serve You better, and to be Your church!"
Gene Kelsey, Director of Christian Education
No comments:
Post a Comment