Every church has it:
Drama.
No matter how wonderful a church is, it still has drama. We all have difficulties, frustrations and “those people” in our churches.
The reminder today is that every church and ministry has drama because they consist of fallen and imperfect people.
Even if every single person in your church was saved and sanctified there would still be mistakes and shortcomings that could cause misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
I know that we all hope to one day find or become the perfect church that somehow rises above the drama and difficulties of immaturity and foolish choices, and yet that is not realistic nor Biblical.
If the church is reaching out to the lost and hurting, there will constantly be an inflow of people who bring their sin, burdens, immaturity, and foolishness with them. And even when they get saved and sanctified there will be other lost and hurting people brought in.
So let’s not get discouraged or frustrated at the fact that people in the church say foolish and hurtful things. Certainly, we should feel sorrow and compassion both for the offenders and the offended but let us not be surprised. Instead, let us realize that God has placed us where we are for such a time as this. We are here to disciple people through their immaturity and help them to connect with the One who will keep working to present them holy and blameless.
Here are 4 simple steps to take when drama occurs in your church:
- Stop and listen to all persons as they relate what they saw, heard, said, experienced, etc. By listening and prayer you will hopefully be able to discern motives (both good and bad)
- Graciously and yet with Biblical truth point people to the commands of God to let our speech be seasoned with grace, to speak the truth in love, to forgive, to go the extra mile and many other such passages that tell us how to deal with people who hurt us, bully us and otherwise treat us in a way contrary to Jesus’ perfect love
- If at all possible, don’t call people out in front of others, but rather offer gentle instruction one-on-one to help them to realize how their behavior can help/hurt others
- Remember to be both a peacemaker (they are blessed!) and yet always a truth-teller. We cannot stand idly by while people use words, attitudes, and actions to belittle, slander, or otherwise tear people down.
Pastor, God has placed you in the church you are in and with your particular flock so that you can help them to discern what is appropriate and what is inappropriate behavior for children of God. They do learn much by watching your example and being around people who live loving and gracious lives, but our flocks must be taught by words of gentle and yet consistent and insistent truth.
Thank you for living an example of love and forgiveness and watching carefully over your words. Thank you also for boldly and courageously leading your flock so that they will not devour one another but instead will build each other up with their words of love, compassion and gentle, nurturing kindness.
Isn’t it so good to know that in this journey with imperfect people,
Christ is with us and Christ is in us!
Mike J
Pastor Michael Johnson 