Category Archives: Issues

Government responds by proposing gun regulations. Schools, malls, workplaces, etc. tighten security. Caring citizens join in memorial efforts. And, we must address these issues. We must be vigilant in an increasingly violent world. We certainly should feel for and care about those directly affected by such evil.

But, who is going to get us beyond the mere symptoms and need for physical security and comfort?  Who is going to confront the heart? Who is going to acknowledge and teach us to stand firm against the spiritual forces of evil also at work?

God’s Plan for the Church

God has an answer for who is to be addressing the real issues — the Church. Think about His description of the church in 1 Timothy 3:15:

      … God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

God did not give that task to the media or to politicians.  The Church is to be the pillar and foundation of the truth.  If we don’t speak up, people are only going to get a skewed view of reality. The truth, however, is that which is going to set people free (Jn. 8:32).

The Church’s Response to Evil Acts

1) Speak truth but do so in love (Eph. 4:15).  A Christ-like response is going to be full of both grace and truth (Jn. 1:14) about the …

• consequences of forgetting God and leaving Him out of our lives
• results of Christians not being the light and salt they are to be in this world
• real source of hope, peace, and security
• need for heart change which can only come through a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives

2)  Be devoted to prayer (Acts 2:42; Col. 4:2).  God offers healing when we turn to Him but, here again, praying needs to be accompanied by truth. Token prayers or momentary pleas of desperation are not what God responds to by healing their land (2 Chron. 7:14). Our prayers need to be accompanied by:

• acceptance of God’s sovereign role in this world (2 Chronicles 7:14 begins with the understanding that He is God. We are His people called by His name so it is about Him, not us.)
• acknowledgement that we can’t make this world better on our own (2 Chronicles 7:14 says we must humble ourselves and pray.)
• awareness of the need for His presence or very being to guide us in this world (2 Chronicles 7:14 adds that we are to pray and seek His face.)
• admission of our failings in true repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14 shows that God not only looks at our words and attitudes as we pray but also our actions. We must turn from our wicked ways.)

3)  Exercise wisdom (Col. 4:5-6). Not sure what to say or do in these kinds of situations? God offers His wisdom to anyone who will ask it of Him (James 1:5). He will give us wisdom for how …

• we act in these kinds of situations toward those who don’t know the Lord (Col. 4:5)
• make the most of these opportunities to stand as pillars of truth (Col. 4:5)
• answer people’s questions and how to direct their hearts and minds to that which is truly important in life (Col. 4:6)

4)  Provide resources based on truth, not mere worldly solutions . . .

• to help answer questions like “Why?” “Where’s God?”
• to guide parents and teachers in how to help children process such events (when you go to that page, look under the Misc tab)
• to open doors for practical help to those hurting and in need while holding out the hope of the Gospel

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist … (Eph. 6:14)

** Please be sure to use the share buttons below to pass this article on to your church leaders.

Programs Must Never Supersede People and the Good of the Whole

As it is, there are many parts, but one body.  The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”  . . .  But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.  If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.  Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” (1 Cor. 12:20-27)

All parts of the body are needed. Just as with the human body, so the Body of Christ was designed to be interdependent.  You can’t have an arm or a leg working separate from the rest of the body. They must work in cooperation with one another to bring about a greater good.

All parts of the body are important. Failing to have “equal concern for each other” brings division. Children and youth are important, but so are adults.  Men are important but so are women. To completely fragment the Body by programs for each group and need, takes away opportunity to learn from one another and grow because of our differences.

All parts of the body are integrated with the whole body. Each person and each ministry within the church belong to one another. A bigger picture exists wherein we are better because of each other and can do more collectively than independently.

To Prevent Programming from Dividing the Church Work at Keeping Them Coordinated

Just as the human body has a central nervous system connected to the brain, so the Body of Christ in all its varying parts and ministries must be coordinated so we are all aiming toward one purpose, united in Christ Jesus who is the Head.

If you are a church leader, you have a critical role in this.  Read more:  Leadership Skill of Ministry Coordination

Take a look at your church: Are there divisions in your Body due to programming? If so, what can you do to keep meeting the needs for which the programs are intended, yet integrate everyone into the whole?

A Practice Dividing the Church

In 1 Corinthians 1 Paul addressed the issue of them following certain leader personalities which led to quarrels among them. Here Paul confronts a practice that led to “haves” and “have nots” within the church.

In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.  In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.  No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.  When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for as you eat, each of you goes ahead without waiting for anybody else. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.  Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? Certainly not!  (1 Cor. 11:17-22)

In both situations, they were causing disunity in the Body and hurting the cause of Christ.

A Solution So Practices Don’t Bring Division

As already mentioned, Paul’s solution for both causes of division was to point them to Christ.  In regard to following different personalities, they needed to adjust their thinking.  In regard to faulty practices, they needed to adjust their heart attitudes.

1) Get to the root issue.

The real issue behind the Corinthians not waiting for one another at the Lord’s supper was a lack of consideration that grew out of selfish heart.  They were looking out for their own interests, or perceived needs, rather than the interests or needs of others.

How ironic that the very situation in which this attitude surfaced was the Lord’s Supper which represented the selfless, sacrificial practice of Christ who humbled Himself and was willing to forego His own comfort and convenience for others.  Is it any wonder Paul uses such strong language in dealing with their contradictory practice?  To humiliate one another in this way and in this setting was like doing it to Christ Himself and could bring on possible discipline from the Lord.

2) Take time for self-examination.

Paul said, “A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28). Based on how Paul began the chapter, the question to ask oneself undoubtedly is, “Am I following the example of Christ?”

The time to ask this question is “before” you do something because following the example of Christ has more to do with your heart attitudes than with your actions or practices.  Selfishness leads to division among the Body.

Take a look at your church: Are there divisions in your Body due to inconsiderate practices?  (Keep in mind that the situation in the Corinthian church is just one way selfishness can surface in a church.)  If so, how can you help each other become more Christ-like?

The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian Church about how personalities can divide the church.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.  My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.  What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”  Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?  (1 Cor. 1:10-13)

The Problem with Churches Elevating Ministry Leaders Over One Another

1) It keeps us from reaching our potential.

The Corinthian church had the potential for being a spiritually impacting church.  They were “enriched in every way” (1 Cor. 1:5) and did “not lack any spiritual gift” (1 Cor. 1:7). Their focus on individual personalities, however, divided them and hence was going to keep them from reaching that potential. Paul didn’t waste any time confronting this issue.

2) It pulls us away from Christ.

Scripture does not state what drew people to the different leaders.  Perhaps it was their charisma. Maybe it was their skill-set or spiritual gifting.  Or, it could have been prior association.  The fact that this detail is missing could suggest that no matter how appealing or dynamic a person might be, following of leaders only leads to division in the church.  The pull to get so entwined with another person becomes dysfunctional.

Our allegiance belongs to the Lord Jesus, not a human leader.  He is the Head of the Body, not Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or any church leader of today.  Only Jesus is sufficient for our eternal salvation. Our identity, as in baptism, is with Christ, not the church we attend or a leader we enjoy.

3) It leads to problems with one another.

Notice how following certain personalities led to quarrels among the Corinthian church.  Undoubtedly comparisons of one leader against the other led to pride and competition.  Disunity followed.  Those who had all they needed to build up one another, brought each other down.

The Plea to Gain Perspective So the Church Doesn’t Divide Over Personalities

Paul called on this divided body of believers to stop and think about what they were doing. They all needed to head in the same direction — toward Christ — and that would begin in the way they perceived one another and the priority they placed on Christ.

Other people, regardless of who they are or what position they hold, are fellow servants saved by grace just as any other person in the church.  Though some may hold more responsibility than others, no one is superior to another in the Lord.  When we allow ourselves to be pulled toward another person, we usually are pulled away from the Lord. At minimum we are distracted.  Christ must always remain preeminent.

Paul appealed to the Corinthians as brothers and sisters in the Lord to gain that perspective in order to reach their potential in Christ.  He had a right and a responsibility to speak into their lives.  He came alongside of them (parakaleo) as a fellow member of the Body of Christ.

Be sure to note that the exhortation came “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  This wasn’t merely Paul’s opinion or to make Paul feel good about them.  Rather, it was for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ.  This was all about Him and what their division would do to the cause of Christ.

Look at your church: Are there divisions in your Body because of misplaced allegiances?  If so, what can you do to help people gain the needed perspective?

Look below in the related posts for other causes of divisions in a church.

We stand at a crossroad. Will we despair and compromise or will we persevere and stay true?

Financial Difficulties Require Some Retooling for the Church

For many churches,

giving is down and expenses are up.

Yes, it takes money to do ministry certain ways but, in truth, it takes God working in the hearts of people.  The best facility, equipment, and materials don’t change lives.  God, through His Spirit and His Word, does the true work.  Money isn’t required to access those resources.

Yes, it takes money to buy student books and classroom supplies but the truth is that people need love way more than they need learning materials.  Love is something you can give away and will be remembered long after the lesson ends.

Yes, it takes money for the upkeep of a church building but if everybody would do their part, these expenses could be reduced.

Yes, it takes money to purchase high-tech equipment, DVDs, and computer software, but there are many ways to communicate without cost.  If used strategically, skillfully, and with excellence, some of this low-tech methodology can still be quite effective.

A Need to Adjust Our Finances May Not be a Bad Thing

We all might have to make some adjustments and sacrifice in certain ways.  As we do, perhaps it will pull us back to relying more on the Lord than our resources.  That would be a good outcome!!

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?”  (Heb. 13:5-6)

Church Leaders:  Learn to think outside of the box.  What are some alternative means of doing ministry?  Purchasing a pre-fab program might take less time but it isn’t the only way when the funds are tight.  You might need to get back to the basics of good time management as part of biblical stewardship.  (1 Cor. 10:31; Eph. 5:15)

All Church Members:  View giving as an act of worship, not merely a responsibility.  View giving as an investment into eternity, not merely to pay salaries and other current expenses.  Give from the heart as God prospers you.  (2 Cor. 8:2-3; 9:6-7)

Stewardship Resources

We stand at a crossroad. Will we despair and compromise or will we persevere and stay true?

Challenges the Church Faces Due to Our Society:

We live in a world where we’re supposed to be politically correct and pluralistic (accepting of all beliefs) or face scrutiny, skepticism, and accusations of intolerance.

We live in a world where people want some semblance of spirituality but are not so sure they want what the church offers  … too narrow, too out of touch.

Options for Dealing with Societal Difficulties:

1. Ignore and further alienate ourselves from the real world.
2. Combat those who oppose us.
3. Compromise by watering down truth to make the church more appealing to the masses.
4. Wisely make the most of every opportunity in ways that stay true to God and His Word.

The fourth option is the most biblical:

My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.  (Jn. 17:15-18)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will.  (Rom. 12:2)

Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Eph. 5:15-16)

Church Leaders:  Remember the real essence of the church.  Remember God’s desire to present the Bride spotless (Eph. 5:25-27).  It’s your responsibility to line up with God’s purposes and design in all you do, not to appeal to the masses and to lift Jesus up, not ourselves.

All Church Members:  We need to remember that we will stand before the Lord one day, accountable to Him for what we say and do (Rom. 14:12; Heb. 4:13).  His judgment is what matters, not what society deems proper, not what pleases people but rather what the Lord says matters, what pleases Him.