As a pastor, I have seen my fair share of unhealthy
relationships and unhealthy people (spiritually, emotionally, psychologically,
relationally, physically) during my life.
One truism that almost always holds: unhealthy relationships can only
breed additional unhealthy relationships (i.e., an unhealthy person cannot
easily pass 'health' on to another person). The Bible refers to this dynamic as
generational sin. What is true of people is also true of churches.
In this day and age, far too many new churches are
born out of church fights, splits, disagreements, and general
disgruntlement. Unfortunately, these
unhealthy births have a tendency to breed unhealthy churches. And unhealthy churches breed more unhealthy
churches.
Too often, Christians enter church relationships with
the same mindset that the world has towards regular marriages--"If it
doesn't work out, we'll just get a divorce." But just as a Christian who
desires to honor God enters a marriage relationship with the mindset that
divorce is not an option, believers should enter into relationship with one
another with a mindset that this relationship cannot be easily walked away
from.
Yes, God permits divorce in a regular marriage when
there is a gross violation of that covenant relationship (i.e., adultery), but
His heart is still on reconciliation. For Christians, our covenant relationship
with fellow Christians in a church should be taken seriously as well--short of
a gross covenant violation (e.g., heresy), divorce (i.e., walking away) should
never be an option kept on the table as a possibility. Rather, God's heart is
for reconciliation and restoration.
As we begin this new journey of a post-merger church
(i.e., a new marriage), our desire is to live out the hope of a God who can
bring restoration and renewal even from the brokenness of the past. Bucking the trend and uniting rather than sub-dividing
is something I hope we see more and more of in the Kingdom in the future.
Christians setting aside their differences and
opinions. Christians willing to give preference to others over themselves.
Christians holding on to heritage and traditions loosely--willing to let go
when God moves. Christians stepping out into the unknown because God told them
to.
Wow--will that make God smile!
(If you want to be
notified of future blog postings, friend me on Facebook 'John Schmidt'. Also, my recent sermons in audio format can
be found at www.NVbridgechurch.com.)
