Handling the Church Environment: Long time Church Attendee vs Newly Church Attendee

I was asking one of my co-workers to help me come up with a topic to discuss. As we began to talk, she sparked a great conversation piece. Thanks Juliette.

Let’s look at this scenario. I have been in church all of my life. I know how “church” people can be at times, so certain behaviors don’t affect me to the point of wanting to leave. However, I have a friend that just started to attend church and is quickly bothered by the behavior of many “church” people. I won’t let the negative behaviors of some in the church drive me away. I know that God has placed me where I am and I won’t leave until He tells me to leave. My friend, however, is ready to move on and try a new church because he can’t see how God can be at the center of certain attitudes or behaviors within the church.

Where we agree is that wrong is wrong. Ugly attitudes and behaviors are not Christ centered. Wrong must be noticed and dealt with. Where we differ is what to do about it. I believe you should address the issues of those negative attitudes head on. I feel it’s what God intended to better the church body. My friend thinks it won’t get better so he should just leave.

At the heart of this conversation is the heart of God. The heart of God lies in how we relate to one another, especially us in the body of Christ. That means how we love one another and how we deal with each other in the midst of conflict. What my friend has not learned yet is that God’s way of handling issues is different from that of the world. You can’t use the world’s solutions to solve problems and expect to grow in Christ at the same time.

Both, my friend and I, have to recognize that as we grow so does the church. Each member’s growth adds to the maturity of the church body. We must not ignore sin. We must address it as God says to address it. We must also learn how to give grace to those who are trying to grow out of their old life and settle into the life of Christ. A lot of us still struggle with the old self.

Colossians 3:13 – You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.

1 Peter 2:17 – Show respect for everyone. Love your Christian brothers and sisters. Fear God. Show respect for the king.

Let’s make the body stronger by remember God’s answers to life’s issues.

God Bless you.