Concerning unity of the Church Millard Erickson writes, “It
is important that Christians make sure that divisions and separation are due to
genuine convictions and principles, and not to personality conflicts or
individual ambition. It is a discredit to the cause of Christ when Christians
who hold the same beliefs and goal separate.”
Even without looking too broad outside of our local church,
this statement (which is considerably sound & commendable) is easier said
than done. If we are to acknowledge the reality of human relationships, it is
practically unavoidable that personality conflicts will happen. As hard it is
for us, being in the 21st century – relativistic society to be firm
on doctrinal conviction without being deemed intolerance, it is equally
difficult to avoid individualism that is so ingrained in our bones. Surely
personality traits will affect any kind of Christian ministry whether we like it
or not, not to mention our backgrounds, past experiences and spiritual
maturity.
With these in mind, especially as followers, how can we
preserve (or persevere in :-))
Church unity if, for instance, we face such conflict with spiritual leader
albeit not because of doctrinal principle. Let’s be honest to admit that even in
a denomination, many congregational splits or divisions happened due to factors
other than doctrinal differences. Doctrine aside, can we really work with people
that were “dictatorial” or gracious-less in their character? What if someone or
some groups of like-minded people choose to move on because they really can’t
solve their personality’s differences with others that seem to impede church
ministries?
I know this sounded a bit trivial and of course some would
point out that what matter the most is God’s work and about working
relationships. But really how far can we go before reaching the breaking point?
How can we wisely address this sensitive contemporary issue to preserve
believers’ unity? Given the propensity of today’s culture toward personal rights
and democratic system, how far could we appeal to our common biblical
convictions to address personality or cultural differences that could threaten
church unity?
you brought up an interesting point and it has been said before the division of the church has become the church's worst testimony. churches don't just split because of doctrinal issues. there are churches tat split because of conflicting individuals or internal 'politic-king'. which we are shame to admit. when is it okay and what is it not okay? I've heard that even when the church splits, God's work is still done as they reach a wider group of people. I agree to that only to a certain extent, because the church split itself has repelled a group of people.
ReplyDeletebut there has been more efforts in bringing the churches together in unity today than ever before. people are learning to 'bear' with each other for the common goal - like combined churches prayer, or combined for an event, etc. these efforts have brought out the best (and i'm sure the worst) of leaders in the church as they learn to put personal preferences and methods aside to work together.
as for congregation level, i think most people have no problem since most people today can't differentiate the denominations anyway.
Yes,in reality...indeed church unity relies on a huge factor: people-relationships. Some Christians cannot get along with other believers in the same church due to personality clashes, character intolerance, offenses and unforgiveness and lack God's love. Many who cannot see eye to eye leave the church for one reason or the other. For some others who cannot agree with their respective church leadership transfer memberships to another church. And other church members may leave because of their different doctrinal stands or preferences.
ReplyDeleteIn many cases, problems can be solved if people truly love one another genuinely with God's love. God's love unites. God's love removes barriers. God's love covers the multitude of sins. God's love heals and restores. God's love is patient and kind...and the list goes on in His Word. But how much does the church live it 'within' before we even talk about spreading God's love to the lost 'without'?
God's greatest commandments: Love God and Love People is truly the most difficult commandments ever...mankind struggles with these two greatest commandments since the beginning of days and will continue to strive till the very end of times.
When God's love is absent, that's "When reality bites the Unity".
i guess it depends what caused the division in the first place.
ReplyDeleteyup, God commands us to love Him and His people. even in church, if others do wrong to us (or the other way around) we still have to forgive. it's tough to do it when we let pride gets in the way. human being human, we have 'thorn in the flesh'.
we have to get real, we are not in kindergarten. wise up when resolving conflicts. chose the battle (or words) carefully. in the end, love and wisdom must dictate the problem. the congregation will witness this, and it will effect their theology.
When there is a division in a church there needs to be a reason behind it otherwise the division or separation is an unwarranted one. This is as Erickson puts it due to convictions and principles and not on personality differences and ambition. This is the ideal picture. Yet, it will be irrational and perhaps unreasonable to stop anyone from church-hopping due to the fact that they have a freedom of choice to choose their place of worship. They can't be confined to a particular church if they don't feel comfortable being there. Personality differences are for a fact always present among people in any church. No one person can be said to constantly agree on the many actions in any given church. Still can unity be maintained. I will say "Yes." These differences can be worked out. After all, in the church we come across people from all walks of life with a different history. As ministers especially, we have to be prepared to face this reality. Do we stop ministering to them or with them? No. What if they decide to leave the church or spread rumors that can threaten unity? Does the church make a collective decision to disown them, excommunicate them or whatever term comes to mind? We need to be extra patient in this. Just do our best to accommodate them, but should they leave the church or bring a significant percentage of our church members with them, then just let it be.Some things can't be explained but one thing is for sure: every person is answerable to God for his/her actions and God might just question them when they meet Him face to face. In the mean time just carry on practicing our faith and not be so bogged down by such disunity in the congregation.
ReplyDelete