Bad Christians: Conflict


Some of the worst manifestations of bad Christians take place in the midst of church conflict.  We would think that Christ followers would behave better in working out their differences, but oftentimes they don't.

I've experienced lots of church conflict, beginning with one of the churches I grew up in.  Back in the early 1970s, the church had more than a thousand in attendance.  Now, the church hangs on by a thread, with a few dozen people worshipping in a sanctuary that seats about a thousand. 

The church's neighborhood has transitioned, but it's fate was sealed decades before by a terrible church split.  Thankfully, I wasn't there for the worst battles, but it grieves me that such a great church destroyed itself. 

For some reason, God called me to minister in an era of prevalent church conflict.  My denomination split, and the church I currently serve split, mostly about the denominational split.

Church conflicts handled badly are costly to the work of Christ in the United States.  Recently, one of my friends posted something a non-church-goer said:  "If church people can't agree and live together in agreement, what reason do I have for wanting to join their churches?"  Excellent question.

We can and must do better.  First, we have to apply generous portions of love to our church conflicts.  1 Corinthians 13:1-7 is a great guide.  Few people notice that it's sandwiched between Paul's counsel about church controversies.

Jesus gave us a great pattern in Matthew 18:15-17.  Start one-on-one and go from there.  We could avoid so much pain if we did what Jesus said!

Jesus said in John 13:34-35 that people would know we belong to him by our love for one another.  Let's do better so people can see we belong to him!


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