Internal Communications

For the past handful of Saturdays, we have focused on how the church engages community. Most Saturdays, actually. Yet as I continued to reflect on the online conversation from earlier this week, prompted by the article I mentioned in yesterdays' post, I began thinking about the internals of the church.

How do we engage with fellow believers?

People have left the church because of how they were treated.
Sometimes going to another.
Sometimes never to return.

We've had conversations with those who outside the church who have vowed as a result, to never set foot in a church. They have forever been turned off to Christianity. Then they witness how Christians treat and communicate with each other, and they are further convinced they made the right decision.

While they may not be "hard-hearted" as a result, Christians have certainly not helped in their having an open mind and an open heart towards the things of God and the people of God.

So, the interaction among Christians, has at times, been detrimental to the church itself and the community the church is attempting to reach. This is problematic, no?

I understand people have their disagreements.
I understand people have their fall-outs.
We won't always agree with the decisions of church leaders anymore than people don't always agree with the decisions of their bosses nor the demands of their clients.

Yet, we are called to be unified in purpose.
Furthermore, we are called to glorify God with our lives, in both word and deed... regardless of who stands in front of us (hard as the conversation may be).

So, will you join me once again?

On this #communitySaturday, will you pray that God will help us as we interact with each other. May God grant us discernment as to how we handle disagreements and problems within the church. Pray for those who have been affected in the past... may God bring healing and restoration to their hearts and minds; for the hurt and damage that has been caused, whether it's been 1 year or 10; pray for the miraculous to occur. Pray for understanding; that we would be people that would seek a spirit of unity. May the efforts of the church and Christianity as a whole not be hindered by those assert their rights, opinions and priorities above the grace and will of God. May we submit ourselves anew to the work God desires to do in us and through us.

By the power of the Holy Spirit
In order to reach the world with the Gospel.
For the cause of Christ
And the glory of God.

- PNC

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