Posted by Bigfish69 on 9:39 am | Categories: church, church health, dysfunction, family, god's people, oneness, together
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| Church and Christian movements throughout history |
Anglican,
Apostolic, Assemblies of God, Baptist, Catholic, Christian City Church,
Christian Revival Crusade, Church of the Nazarene, Churches of Christ,
Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Reformed
Churches, Salvation Army, Uniting, Vineyard, Wesleyan Methodist…
» Is it mature in the likeness of Christ? (Ephesians 4)
» Has the task Jesus set before us been completed? (Matthew 23:18)
» Do we love others as God loves us (1 Peter)?
» Are we one as Jesus and the Father are one? (John 15)
These
are just some of the many and varied Christian groups in Australia,
whether they are called churches, denominations, or movements. This is
not to mention all the ‘independent’ or non-aligned ones, as well as
home churches. Furthermore these are then subdivided.
- Disagreement over the interpretation of God’s word
- These disagreements can be taken personally and become points of conflict
- Refusal to resolve differences
- This can lead to people pursuing their own self-interests and agendas
These
are just some of the many and varied Christian groups in Australia,
whether they are called churches, denominations, or movements. This is
not to mention all the ‘independent’ or non-aligned ones, as well as
home churches. Furthermore these are then subdivided.
Often
disagreement can occur over how God’s word should be interpreted and
therefore lived out and sometimes these disagreements are taken
personally and become points of conflict. When this occurs and people
may refuse to resolve their differences making the conflict more
permanent.
Does
God approve of division among his family? Is there room for unresolved
arguments between individuals or groups of people? Does it ultimately
matter how we interpret God’s word? Should people justify their
positions?
» Is Christ divided? Was the founder of your church crucified for you? Or were you baptised in their name?
» What was happening in the Corinthian church? (1Corinthians 1-3)
» Why did Paul refer to divisions as like acting like people who don't know Christ at all?
Have
another read of the New Testament. Look up and compare what is written
about tribal separations (e.g. divide, segregation, arguing, strife) in
contrast to unity (e.g. oneness, togetherness, fellowship).
Ultimately
disagreement is a natural part of life. However, is allowing it to
continue beneficial (Ephesians 4:26-27) regardless of how strongly you
feel about it? Is it justifiable for division to go so far as to cause
people to not only view themselves as part of different churches, but to
believe their church has the one true truth?
If
your answer to any of these questions is no then why do we continue to
enable the situation? Why don't we forgive? Why don't we love our
enemies? Why don't we try to resolve the hostility existing between
people who claim to pursue Christ?
When
you look at the various groups who gather in the name of Christ, do you
observe that the conflict, misbehaviour, and even abuse of some is
accommodated for by others (e.g. ignored, excused, glossed over,
covered)? Would you agree that this has been going on for so long that
individual believers have spent their entire faith life seeing this kind
of relationship as normal?
When
you observe the church, do people tend to be passive? Maybe they
provide care in such a way that negatively impacts themselves or the
ones being helped?
But
isn't putting others first essential to following Christ? Yes and no.
God asks us to be generous with all we have, including our very life,
but not to the point where we need the welfare of others.
Are
there behaviours, thoughts and feelings that go beyond normal kinds of
self-sacrifice or care-taking. For instance, do people or groups act as
martyrs? Do they help others to attract attention and sympathy as they
feign exaggerated suffering? Do they need to be needed?
A
broader example is an ongoing need to be accepted, whatever the cost.
Thus when they disagree, they take the role of the victim, and feel
guilty about standing up for themselves.
The
term describing the refusal or inability to talk about relationship
problems is dysfunction. It is a term commonly used within families.
And if church can be considered as God’s family, it makes sense to
examine our situation in this light.
» your own behaviour
» your local church or congregation,
» your church's main leader,
» the denomination or movement in which you find yourself, and
» the church as a whole in your area, your town, your city, your region
Dysfunctional Survey - Personal Dysfunctional Survey - Local Church Dysfunctional Survey - Leadership Dysfunctional Survey - Regional Church
