Divisions in church breed atheism
Divisions in the church always breed atheism in the world´ ± Thomas Wanton.
This past week the Times 1ewspaper in one of its front pages, carried a very perturbing story about a petition which was allegedly delivered by about members of the $nglican Church, from different branches in the +hohho Region.
The article narrated how the aggrieved church members petitioned their Bishop Dr Dalcy Dlamini at her place of residence.
It was alleged, according to the article that, Tuote
“6ome of the issues that gave rise to the petitioning of the bishop by the congregants include the transfer of the $ll 6aints Rector $dvent 1hlanhla Dlamini and his arch dean, to 0hlume. The duo is expected to relocate to their new workstation by $pril , .
“The discontent church members also made a hue and cry about the alleged non-vetting of the bishop before she took over the position...´ - 8nTuote.
Conflicts in some churches, though, frowned upon by the general public, are not a new thing. They had existed for centuries since the dawn of creation .
But, first, what exactly are conflicts, especially in as far as the religious fraternity is concerned?
Whenever Christians in their different congregations put their personal ideas, thoughts, and motives above what is best for the congregation, this rarely failed to gives rise to conflict in the church.
Generally, ever since the dawn of creation, humans had more often than not, had the propensity to disagree over many issues.
It is normal, conventional and part of human nature or traits for a group of people who form an organisation or coalition, united by a common purpose, to have conflict from time to time.
CONCERN
6adly, it raises a lot of eyebrows and serious concern when conflict in churches become the talk of the town - something not to be taken lightly - when news break out , especially in the media, about turmoil in the church.
It must not escape our attention that the church - the True Church of Christ, not the mushrooming, prosperity, Gospel-teaching, so-called, nowadays churches - is the body of Christ.
1umerous Tuestions often arise when news about conflict within many churches eventually reaches the public domain.
This raises disconcerting Tuestions like Is it ethical for church congregants who subscribe or rather, should subscribe to biblical doctrines which teach about harmony, and peace, to engage in any conflict?
Is it an acceptable, and or godly practice for church members who might happen to be aggrieved by some decisions taken by their hierarchy in the church to - like in the above mentioned issue - then petition their leaders over such issues pertaining to church governannce or decisions taken by church governing authorities which they might not agree with?
6houldn¶t the church - the body of the 3rince of 3eace, the 6on of /iving God who was crucified on the cross for the redemption of the sins of humanity - resolve conflicts amicably, and, in a godly manner without resorting to the use of unorthodox means like petitioning church authorities or as we had witnessed numerous before, where in conflict, church factions even sought the intervention of the courts of the land to settle church disputes?
$s believers, we need to remind ourselves about the compelling prayer of our /ord -esus Christ in -RKQ FKDSWHU where - during +is high priestly prayer, - he prayed that all Christians may be one as +e, and the Father are one.
It is vital that we understand what are some of the common causes which might lead to conflicts in the church.
Before I delve into that, let me mention a few biblical verses which frown upon conflict or Tuarrels among believers.
IMPORTANT
6aint -ames, also called -ames, The /ord¶s Brother, in his epistle, -DPHV
offered very important advice to congregants who were in conflict in the (arly Church
“What causes Tuarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you?´ -DPHV
“ But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.´ -DPHV “6ubmit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you..´ -DPHV Christianity in the world today is without any shadow of doubt, in a fractured state. The true church of God, with all of its various camps is under severe threat of divisions. The devil is relentlessly planting seeds of discord among believers, and it is no suprise that the early disciples warned about apostasy, and divisions in the church in the period the Bible calls the last days. When the $postle 3aul wrote his letter to the Church in Corinth, he was not happy about the divisions he saw in the Church, there. In Corinth, different divisions had sprung up with various groups rallying behind their favourite or preferred leaders. 3aul wrote that he heard reports that, “(ach of you is saying, µI belong to 3aul,¶ or µI belong to $pollos,¶ or µI belong to Cephas,¶ or µI belong to Christ.¶´ Isn¶t this what we are seeing unfolding in many churches around the country, nowadays? 1ow, what could be some of the underlying causes which contributes to divisions in the church? The causes are numerous. Conflicts in the church are caused by serious disagreements or differing opinions over many issues mong members or groups in the church. Decisions about new pastoral staff, transferring of others against the wishes of factions who favour them, the use or misuse? of Church funds, the structure of worship services, church events and so on, tend to be at the heart of these disagreements. /et me share with the reader what ZZZ EPERQOLQH RUJ says are some of the chief causes of church conflicts written by Dr Chris Crain, (xecutive Director of the Birmingham 0etro Baptist $ssociation B0B$ “3ride - 3eople often behave with ● self-centredness, ego and pride. When you feel that life is about you, you take things personally. 6elf-centredness causes one to experience hurt feelings easily. “9alue others above yourself. ● 0ake sure people in your church know that you care about their needs. When you feel that you have allowed pride to influence your relationship negatively, admit your failure. 6ay, “I apologise. I let pride get in the way.´ The Bible says, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.´ 3KLOLSSLDQV 3eople prevent and resolve church conflicts when they implement this teaching. ³6SLULWXDO DQG HPRWLRQDO LPPD ● WXULW\ 0aturity helps a person understand that differences in perspective broaden understanding. 0ature people learn to disagree without being distressed. 0ature people are self-aware and seek to improve their weaknesses. “Immature individuals have not learned to avoid disputes over a person¶s personality or style. /ikewise, maturation helps a person understand the futility of fighting over things that cannot be controlled. “Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking, be mature.´ &RULQWKLDQV Believers must learn to think, behave, and communicate with maturity. ³&KDQJH DQG LQIOH[LELOLW\ In ● reality, change is the norm. When policies or priorities change in the church, misunderstandings and stresses are likely to occur. When pastors and church leaders make strategic decisions, an effective process of communicating these new directives and norms is crucial. (ven so, some church members may struggle to accommodate the changes. “6ome people have a greater propensity to resist change than others. In times of change, one may benefit from evaluating emotional responses to change. 2ften change leads to feelings of powerlessness or insecurity because one may trust the status Tuo at church instead of trusting God for security and peace... ³$EXVHV RI 3RZHU ● 3ower is the influence a person has on his or her environment, relationships, or self. 6hifts in power may create gains or losses. 3ower is the ability and means to get things done... “-esus, the 6on of God, used his power to serve others and to look out for those who were disadvantaged or in need. “For even the 6on of 0an came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many´ 0DUN “-esus¶ use of power is a model for a person of influence. God forbid that anyone would use power to abuse or hurt someone /ikewise, power and influence in the church should ultimately be directed to -esus Christ, who is the +ead of the church... ³&KXUFK SROLWLFV Factions in ● the church may intentionally or unintentionally engage in political maneuvering and posturing that leads to conflict. For instance, senior church members may favor proven methods, while younger members desire to change. “Factions may attempt to increase their power and recruit others to their side. $ person may be challenged to resolve the situation without offending the other individuals and groups involved in the conflict. For believers in Christ, this takes extreme caution and integrity. “The Bible addresses politics among factions. The $postle 3aul dealt with factions in the Corinthian church. “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is Mealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?´ - 8nTuote. 3erfectly put, don¶t you think, dear reader? Kumcoka bazalwane kutsi as church members we respect church governing authorities¶ decisions. In instances where we may not see eye to eye or disagree with decisions taken by Church leaders, it is important that such disagreements are conveyed in a godly manner which might prevent the propensity to chase away any potential converts to the Gospel of Christ. /et us, please, remember that as believers, “we are the salt of the world...´ 0DWWKHZ It is imperative that we set a good example of peaceful resolution to our conflicts to a sinful world out there. To church leaders, it important not to lord it over your congregation. We have enough dictators in the circular world, and there should be no room whatsoever for dissension in the church which is so prevalent in civil governments. 2ne of the most important truths we need to understand, ba]alwane, is that satan, the ruler of this world is incessantly, and desperately waging a ferocious war against believers in the Church of Christ. +e knows his time is short. 6oon, the 3rince of 3eace will descend from the clouds to Mudge him, including his demos posing as human rulers, as well as sinful humanity. I pray earnestly pray not only for sanity to prevail in the church, but, also in the circular world. 3eace Shalom!DISAGREEMENTS
DECISIONS