Recently a leading brotherhood publication carried several articles pleading for unity among brethren. This is a noble plea and one that needs to be heeded. Unity among believers is precious to our Lord. He prayed for unity with the shadow of the cross hanging over Him (John 17:21).
But, divisions do come to the church. When they do, the faithful are sorely tested. "For there must be also factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you" (I Corinthians 11:19). Church difficulties provide an opportunity for Christians to demonstrate they are genuine followers of the Lord. Still, there should be an urgent striving to keep "the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephesians 4:4).
There is no question that in every rift and schism brethren have faced, if cooler heads had prevailed the outcome would often have been different. While contentions may ever be with us, we should consider ways to defuse and void the splits and strive now reaching epidemic staged in congregations over the brotherhood.
Foremost in steps of prevention and correction of division is a return to the practice of the New Testament church. Note what was emphasized. The program was preaching, praying, teaching and evangelism. There were no youth and family ministries, no catering to some special interest group. Instead of arranging an agenda that would appeal to what the "marketing surveys" say the masses want in a church, they preached Jesus in "every house" (Acts 5:42). Following the primitive program eliminates the trivial, time consuming expensive busyness characteristic of many congregations and leaves little about which to quarrel.
In the New Testament church elders did their work of overseeing the flock. They were not reduced to lackeys concerned only with what color of carpet or paint to buy. If they met, their agenda was more than to hire or fire the preacher. They "fed the flock" and took the oversight of it.
Modern congregations provide entertainment for the youth, bowling nights, golf tournaments, men's breakfasts, mother's day out, softball Saturdays, and lament that the day of gospel meetings is past. All these activities and others that could be named will ultimately create friction and frustration. That is why nearly every time there is a congregational split it comes not because of some false doctrine but from excess baggage such as has been mentioned.
All over the nation elders are up to their hips planning, providing and paying for things that ought to be left for Mom and Dad. How in the world did we develop the idea that the church is to provide entertainment, social life and relief from boredom for everybody? We teach parental responsibility and family sanctity then have the church seeking to relieve parents of their responsibility to provide physical, social and recreational needs for their children and each other. The church returning to the work it is supposed to do will stop much of the in-fighting.
It is argued, "Many parents will not do these things." It should be remembered the church is not to do for people what they refuse to do for themselves or decide in the parents stead or take their place. Involvement in activity where it has no place almost always will cause church division.
Preaching needs to be returned to a place of honor. "It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to same them that believe" (I Corinthians 1:21). If congregations would avoid the contention found in so many they must turn and listen with hungry hearts to the preaching of God's word.
In short, we need to return to viewing the Bible as the final authority in all matters. In reference to congregational affairs the letters to Timothy and Titus should be stressed. "These things write I unto thee....That thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth" (I Timothy 3:14-15). Here is the answer to most disputes; yet how many congregations in conflict turn to these books? How many quarreling members are even willing to learn what is taught there? There is a cry from hither and yon telling us what is wrong and what should be done. Rare it is when one says, "Let us go to the Bible and see how to behave in the house of God."
If the membership will cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in their lives many of the altercations in congregations would immediately cease. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:22-26). An adoption of these precepts make church splits next to impossible.
With a world going to Hell at breakneck speed, why must be continue to direct our anger toward one another in our congregations? Why must we quarrel and divide over so many trivial matters, taking vengeance against those with whom we disagree? Why are our egos so quickly bruised? Why can't we who believe "through their work" be one? Don't we have enough foes without? "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity" (Psalm 133:1).
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