“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. Matthew 18:15 NLT
If you’ve been in the local church for any amount of time, you’ll be familiar to the phrase: church hurt. To be honest, I thought it to be a trending pair of words that somehow gained traction as a result of local church splits and the people who may have been caught up in in the battle zones.
So, why is this popular phrase oozing like a geyser that is spilling over? Because it is real, Friend. And I want to acknowledge your pain if you are sitting in the aftermath of such a mess.
I don’t share this discussion because I am personally experiencing this (in the here and now). Although, I can attest to former days of such a tearing away at my heart. Rather, a few friends in the not-so-distant-past have confided in me their personal experiences, and it truly saddens me.
As mature Christians, we are called to work out our differences in love and compassion, seeking for restoration of relationships. We can disagree on preferences and minor details of life, yet we are called to peace as brothers and sisters in Christ. Family members in Jesus are to treat one another in such a way that the unbelieving world that is watching will see there is something uniquely different about our behavior and want what we have: Jesus.
When there is divisiveness brewing in the local church, no matter the form (one common problem seems to be gossiping), the destruction of relationships and reputation is tantamount. People pack up and leave their community, hardness of hearts and bitterness has taken root, and so often the problem just seems to fester until the next incident. Worse yet, is when a new believer in Christ suffers from such activity, that they actually walk away from the church, not wanting to engage with people who talk one way and walk another. This should not be.
A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
gossip separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28 NLT
How can this sort of bickering and biting be desirable to a world that is already suffering from this kind of activity? Here is where this discussion among friends can help the healing process begin.
Come and sit with me for a bit and hear the hearts of those who have been hurt and have healed, who confess that they’ve hurt others, who are leading others through their own healing journeys, and who are cognizant of the need for open discussion so that the Body of Christ remains united in Him. The wisdom through the prayerful transparency is priceless.
Since the women in this roundtable discussion are pastors, they offer helpful suggestions for those who may be in such a situation. It is that part of this discussion that I believe is Jesus honoring.
I am praying for you.
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Better Together TV | TBN for this.
Titus Two 