Category Archives: Church Life

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.