People Problems in the Church

Question:   As a church member, I sometimes disagree with the preaching, and leadership.  For fear of loss of friendships, I keep silent. Should I continue "walking on eggshells"? Dear D

Greetings from our Foundation and thank you for your question.

Question:   As a church member, I sometimes disagree with the preaching, and leadership.
For fear of loss of friendships, I keep silent. Should I continue "walking on eggshells"?
 
Answer
As a church member, you are a part of God’s family, part of the “body of Christ”.  If something bothers you in your own family, do you not discuss the matter openly with the family member/s concerned, and try to work out a solution?  The same goes for the church family; whatever is a problem to one of the members, should be openly discussed to find the points of agreement, according to God’s word.
 
The problem usually comes in the way matters are approached.  Most people seem to leave matters until they are so upset that the discussion turns into an attack; that something that is a general problem becomes personal and ugly.  So by all means raise issues that trouble you, but do it when you are rational and have prayed about it.  Then do it according to the Biblical principles given below.  A problem properly examined and thrashed out between Christian brothers and sisters can bring them closer to each other and to God, if done in a loving and caring spirit.  God bless as you tackle the problems in your church!
 
Ephesians 2     19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Colossians 1     17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the pre-eminence.
Matthew 5     23 Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way.  First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
 
2 Timothy 2     24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,

Matthew 18     15 “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

John 13     34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
 
Trust these texts offer guidance and comfort as you seek to resolve your issues.

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God loves you very much Diane.

Blessings,

The New Zealand Christian Foundation Team

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New Zealand Christian Foundation Inc
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