For the past week, I have been living in a home of “The GREAT Divide”. Craig and I are on polar opposites of an issue and have engaged in numerous “passionate discussions” about this issue. Honestly, there has been many times that I have not “felt the love”…
BUT
I am thankful, yes THANKFUL for this trial we are going through within our relationship and within our church body. Craig and I both AGREE that God is testing us. We believe He wants us to learn some things about ourselves, our family, our church, and ultimately about Him. I love to learn, I just don’t want to be stretched so much that I am uncomfortable. I especially dislike pain, which is what we are feeling in this trial – the pain of stretched relationships.
I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to understand what’s going on in our Elder Board, Pastoral Search Committee, and Church body through a microcosm of the controversy in our home.
In working through this at home, Craig and I have some advantages:
1. Craig is an elder responsible for leading the congregation and affecting the body by his decisions. I, as part of the search team, have sought God’s will for our body through countless hours of prayer, time and energy in this process. I am acutely aware of everything that has been done to get us to the point of where we are today.
2. I know Craig’s heart better than anyone (besides God, of course). He earnestly desires to please God and do what is right in His eyes for the body of LFC. Craig knows me better than anyone on this earth and that my heart and passion is to obey the Lord and His Word above anything else.
3. We know we can be real and completely honest with one another, and even if we never come to an agreement, we know we still love and respect each other, and will continue to live our lives for God. We leave it up to Him to correct our understanding in His time. Neither of us will be walking away from the other at the end of this discussion.
In working through this, I’ve come to the conclusion (again) that there are two sides to every issue and we rarely have all the information; there’s usually more than meets the eye (or ears).
Those who hold to the constitution have been called “Pharisees”, holding to the letter of the law (minimum 90%). From their perspective it’s a matter of faith and trusting God’s sovereign power. He could have moved people in a way to achieve the minimum. Nothing is impossible for God. He is in control of all things, including this vote. He (as well as everyone involved) knew we needed 90%, and was not surprised by the shortfall. He has a plan in it, and he works all things together for the good of those who love him and are called according to His purpose. We need to just trust and wait on Him.
Those who hold to the position that we should have rounded up, contend that the spirit of the law (constitution) was fulfilled by 89.665%. Jesus was always challenging the law and breaking it when it was in the best interest of people. They contend, to round up would have been what Jesus would have done, choosing to love people over abiding by the law. These people have been judged as trying to manipulate the outcome their way. They have been accused of playing “god” because they didn’t agree with the decision. Their faith has been questioned and they have been judged as “less spiritual” than those who say that God sovereignly allowed the vote to fall short as his will to not call the candidate.
These are godly men and women on both sides of this issue whom I have discussed this with – at length. Many of them feel passionately about their position. I respect and love them all. I can see their perspective. There is Biblical support for both sides; I can accept both.
My heart aches. Something that was instituted to ensure unity of the body behind a new leader has become something to divide the body. This should not be! I pray the devil doesn’t win, because surely, he would love to see us fight among ourselves and tear this body apart.
I am thankful for the trials because through them, we are being built up into the people God needs us to be. (James 1 and 1 Peter 1 – read them!) He is doing a work – will we let Him complete it?
I am thankful we have leadership who passionately desire to do God’s will above their own.
I am thankful for leadership willing to admit their weakness and failures, publicly.
I am thankful for leadership willing to evaluate their action and seek to correct a wrong, if so determined.
I am thankful for leadership willing to humble themselves before God and the body they serve to seek forgiveness and restoration.
I am thankful that leadership is responsible and will answer to God for the decisions they make. Their decisions both good and bad will have consequences that affect me and the rest of the body, but God’s Word tells me to submit to the leaders He has placed over me. (Hebrews 13:17) I will accept their decision and serve together with them with JOY to advance His kingdom!
Praying for our Elders, praying for the Search Team, praying for our body…Loving God and Loving People!
1Thessalonians 5:12-28
