April 14, 2018

Bickering Destroys Us

If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. – Galatians 5:15

A few years ago conversations turned heated in the contemporary worship committee meetings. The argument was always the same: Do we start a second service or continue with just one contemporary service each week.

Those in favor got ugly in their pursuit of being right. They offered up studies and statistics. They vowed to do whatever was necessary, to commit whatever hours were needed, to make it happen.

The other side argued that the church didn’t need a fourth service. The attendance in the one contemporary service didn’t justify adding a second one. We likely wouldn’t increase overall church attendance with the additional service. Oh, and one of the praise bands couldn’t be available at the second service.

The second service was added. Members of the second praise band continued for the first service until the criticism and putdowns got to be too much. They left the church, taking their gifts and talents with them.

Did we add members to the church? No. All we added was discord. Ironically, one of the most vocal proponents of the second service now desperately wants to see it end. He’s decided that the extra work, something he was so glad to do before it began, is just too much. But it’s a lot easier to add a service than to take one away.

One Sunday school class has been around for a long time. It began when its members were young professionals with small children. Now they are elderly retirees, with grandchildren and, in some cases, great grandchildren. They’ve earned the right to get their way on any and all issues. Just ask them.

The thermostat must be set according to their needs. It doesn’t matter that the class next door must literally use blankets in the summer because their classroom is so cold. They aren’t interested in a happy medium where everyone is satisfied. And they’re glad to hatefully tell anyone that.

The other day I was showing someone photos from a wonderful Easter play. She and her husband are new to town and I wanted to encourage her to attend our church. Two women quickly chimed in: At least we got to sing our song. The pastor didn’t want us to do it but we needed the time to get “Jesus” on the cross. It was just such a mess. I don’t know why the pastor was so difficult about it.

Seriously? That conversation should have stayed at the play rehearsal. No one needed to know about the disagreement. And certainly not someone looking for a church home. Is that who we are? Is that what we’ve become? Is it any wonder that people are staying away from churches? Who wants to be a part of that?

God turned that play into something that was powerful and moving, a live illustration of how Jesus suffered and what He did for us. It wasn’t about a song; it was about a Savior. How could they miss that?

We are so intent on getting our own way, on demanding that our voices be heard. All the outside world sees is the ugliness of destruction. We are destroying ourselves with our petty differences and need to be in control. Those who constantly grumble among themselves are destined to ultimately fail.