DEFENSE!-------------------------------------------------------------------------
DAY 21
Point to Ponder: It is my responsibility to protect the unity of my church.
Verse to Remember: "Let us concentrate on the things which make for harmony and the growth of our fellowship together." Romans 14:9 (Ph)
Question to Consider: What am I personally doing to protect unity in my church family right now?
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One of the things that I am doing right now is playing on the worship team, using music to help minister to the people of my congregation, and most importantly bring pleasure to God.
ReplyDeleteRight now at my church, just standing strong in faith and community is important because of the many trials that we have been through the last few years. In the last 2 years our church has lost two lead pastors, been in a big financial bind with giving not meeting anticipated needs, currently not having a lead pastor, and losing many of our members because of it. When I joined the church about 3 years ago we had about 400 members. Now after all of the trials, especially the loss of our pastors, we are now down to less than 200 members. Just by continued loyalty to this body is helping to bring unity. It is really neat to see how God works in difficult situations. Though many people in my congregation were hurt and upset through these trials, especially when we lost our pastors, I have never seen a group of people pull together and unify so much to protect the church, help each other, pray together, and worship. He really does use all things, good and bad , for His glory.
Jess,
ReplyDeleteRemaining involved on your worship team is great! One of the greatest expressions of Unity is when all of us come together in worshipping God.
"The Bible calls Satan "the accuser of our brothers." It's the Devil's job to blame, complain, and criticize members of God's family. Anytime we do the same, we're being duped into doing Satan's work for him." pg. 164
ReplyDeleteAvoiding those who complain and gossip. It is easy to complain- it's also easy to gossip. It destroys the unity of a family and can ruin the reputation of a friend. My intention is to surround myself around "doers" of the church, not the "blabbers".
Doers get things done! They are on the front line; always ready for battle.(Hence the really cool picture for this post!)
Blabbers are the arm-chair quarterbacks who like to criticize and pretend they could have done a better job. In reality, the Blabbers never achieve anything. They just sit and complain and give you a bunch of opinions. Here's to all the "Blabbers" in church. Jesus said, "GO!" ... not sit on your pancake behinds. Instead of sharing bad news, use your mouths for what God intended- sharing the Good News of Jesus!
Okay, I guess I have some unresolved anger that I need to reconcile. Sorry to all the "Blabbers" in the church... NOT!
=P
Jeff, your post made me laugh. Hehe... pancake behinds :-P
ReplyDeleteI haven't been at Oak River church as long as Jess, but I was there when the second pastor left and did feel a good deal of hurt as a result. I'd never felt a close connection to any pastor; but this one did our premarital counseling, so I felt like we had someone we could go to if we just needed guidance. And then all of a sudden, for no stated reason, he and his family were gone.
Although I wasn't ready to be at peace and considered leaving, I knew that wouldn't solve anything. It's been my experience over time that leadership changes often - the days of a pastor staying more than a few years are gone. We just have to realize it's the body, not a single person, that matters and trust God to fill the gaps.
So I guess personally I'm working on staying positive in a difficult situation and trying to reach out and talk to others even when I don't feel reciprocity.
I commend you and Jess for standing firm. The situation you both are in must be very difficult. Especially when you are reserved to keep opening your hearts to yet another pastor.
ReplyDeleteI have alot of respect for you!
I am trying to refrain from gettin into negative conversations with those at church and trying to build positive friendships with those I am meeting. I am also trying to look at people who offend or irritate me as imperfect just like me, but still God's children and serving their purpose. I need to look at people serving as doing a positive thing, not look at the way they're serving. I also need to make sure I avoid negativity coming from other members as much as I can.
ReplyDelete