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| Unity: An Evasive Virtue |
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Reading through some blogs this morning, I've come to the conclusion that, for me anyway, today's theme is "UNITY". We don't have to search the NT Scriptures very far before we find a passage that speaks of Christian unity. In fact, one blogger this morning reminded his readers of the passionate prayer of Jesus whereby He asked His Father for unity for the messengers of the gospel. A large part of the epistle to the Ephesians is a theme of unity. Just look at 2:11-22 and this one for starters:
4:3 giving diligence to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4:4 `There is' one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; 4:5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 4:6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
So, let me ask you...why is unity so evasive in some of our churches? Many proposals brought to the church for approval have been bogged down and/or destroyed by folks that are not really sure where their unity lies. I mean, some decisions should be no-brainers! There should only be one questioned asked when a proposal is made to the church: Is this God's will for the church?
For example, when introducing a new prayer walking ministry can we say that it is God's will or not? When the church has stagnated for six years and a proposal for a new ministry to reach unchurched people in the surrounding community has been introduced, can we say that it is God's will or not? When an unchurched family in town is forced out of their home by fire, do we need to argue whether or not it's God's will for us to help them? And finally, why do we argue about whether or not it's God's will for a church to make a vital difference in our neighborhood by closing it's doors for one Sunday a year and show the community we think more about them than ourselves? These should be no-brainers, because it is what Jesus did. Are we or are we not united with Him?
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| To add a comment to "Unity: An Evasive Virtue" |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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Thanks for the opportunity to type out my new memory verse....by memory! "Accept him whose faith is weak w/o passing judgment on disputable matters." The point? Unity!!! We so often judge, even subtly, and it divides us.
Your point Ed, seems to be more about corporately discerning and following the Lord's will. Perhaps this is where leadership comes into play?
Good blog, great questions! ....and a star! |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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Mike, thanks for your insightful comment! Perhaps I'm looking at things from a leadership perspective in which others don't relate, (i.e., I want visual and spiritual progress and I want it now!) There are many frustrating things in ministry and one of them is when a minister does all he can to teach and lead a group of people to follow God's will, they hold on to the idea of "what? Change? I'm comfortable where I am" and "I know what the Bible says, but..."
It's not that I don't accept people where they are in their maturing faith, (after all, I've been through that struggle myself) it's that sometimes I feel there's no maturation of faith and because of that there is a lack of unity. And because I am accepting and loving of all types of people, I find myself backing down from what I feel is God's will for the church.
Right now, my church is contemplating some very important ministry ideas and I'm looking forward to a positive outcome. But I've been in some pretty frustrating situations with past churches that I've pastored. The main frustration was their refusal to even look for God's will, despite biblical studies and leadership.
Maybe that's why I'm Ministries Director of my church and not pastor! Thanks for allowing me to vent! You're a wise man, Mike, keep up the good work! |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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| Preacher -- Been there, done that! Question: Can we learn from our frustrations? |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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| Ed, I believe you are on target with these things are "no-brainers" as you call them. I ask my church that question all the time. If all we are doing is singing songs, and hearing a nice message what is that? The church is to be salt and light. I guess where you are frustrated is that the people have not quite caught your vision. Many churches are afraid to venture out, and lose money, or spend money when they don't see the value or the benefit. Others, have their own agenda and axe to grind any your vision collides with their vision. People are basically carnal in their thinking. We have to expand their thinking outside of their comfort zone and get them moving in the area of faith. It is mostly a leadership issue of communicating the vision and educating the people, but I do know that there are some sheep that are terribly stubborn and selfish. You either have to work around them, out grow them, or confront them head on. Commit your work to the Lord and it shall be established. Bathe it in prayer and hold fast to the vision. Is tonight the night that it goes to the deacons? |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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Thanks Brother Todd...you, too, are a wise man. I think the way you put it "...the people have not quite caught your vision" is a great way to look at it. We also tend to very material and the money thing is an important element of our lives, but sometimes it gets in the way of doing God's will.
On another matter...the deacons had a chance to look at The Bridge proposal last Thursday night. The regular deacon's meeting was this past Monday. Between them both, they tweaked it enough for us to pass the proposal out to the congregation this coming Sunday. Voting will take place on the 22nd. Pray for God's will to be done...and I say that because I feel it's God's will for us to reach the unchurched in this new, exciting and innovative way. But, then again, is that only MY vision? |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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| It is God's vision... you may have taken ownership of it, but it is God's heart to seek and to save what is lost. You will face resistance, but you will reap if you do not faint. |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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| Wise words, indeed! |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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| Look out, I'm getting my engine reved up! Before I go on a tirade I'd like to share something, if I am able to express it clearly. I think there is a big difference in unity and what God calls ONENESS. Unity is when people come together for a specific purpose to carry out a specific goal..such as the things shared above in serving the community. Unity is sought (but usually settles for majority).
ONENESS however is different. Oneness is"...it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and us..." (Ax 15:28) Oneness is something already established in the Spirit. To me, that is what "church business" should be about. Sorry to say, but if it was practiced..not much would get done :).
A dear brother, G.H. Lang wrote that agreement in the body of Christ should be unanimous, not just majority wins. That may sound "pie in the sky" but if Christ is building His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail, then I figure He could pull the unanimous deal off too!
PS-
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR MENU BAR ABOVE THE COMMENT BOX. I MISS THOSE EDITING TOOLS (black print is boring). |
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| June 05, 2008 |
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Wow! Good points, Charlie. Being "one in the Lord" should give us a certain amount of unity to get things accomplished, right? I guess that's what it's all about. In Jesus' prayer He prayed for oneness, like He is one with the Father. I imagine He prayed for that to happen not just so that everyone can be one in the spirit, but also united in purpose. For me, it's a matter of semantics, can't we Christians also be referred to as "united" in Christ?
PS. I got colors now, do you? |
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| June 06, 2008 |
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Absolutely!! Eph. 4 speaks of our unity AND our oneness. V.3 does NOT say strive/endeavor to OBTAIN unity..but to KEEP the unity. It is already ours!! What a difference it would make if we practiced "church business" with that perspective always.
Those verses in Jn. 17 are some of my favs Ed. I doubt we will ever plumb the depths of reality in the fact Jesus is in the Father, God in Him and WE in Them!! Talk about oneness...WOW!!!
PS - it's weird sometimes the edit box is above the comments window and sometimes it's not. |
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