Monday Selah! There is something that I have observed for years in local churches that has always bothered me, and that is that when someone leaves that local fellowship they tend to be shunned and viewed as now being against everyone there, especially the leadership. What I have found through the years of listening to people from both sides of this spectrum is that many that leave are not against that leadership or those people there, they are just not with them. I believe that healthy and secure leaders will realize that just because someone is not with us does not mean that they are not for us. I am not with all the other churches in my area of influence, but I am certainly for them and want to see them grow and be a blessing to our community and none of us should be in competition with each other, because we all have a unique grace and assignment for the region that is not better than, but different than each other. The truth is that in every city there is only one church, the body of Christ, that just happens to meet in different locations around the region and different houses will draw those that feel that connection and be drawn to their tribe if you may, but we are all still one nation. Some times people will love the ministry and the leaders but they have lost respect for them for one reason or another like lying, manipulating,control, inconsistency, hypocrisy and the like. It is hard to follow someone you dont respect and it is very hard to get respect back once it is lost and it is best for that person to then find someone and somewhere that they can, but it should not mean that they have to cut ties with friends that they had developed relationships with at that fellowship. Now I also know that the relationship will be different because you wont be seeing each other as often and your discussions will not be about church, but maybe you could still discuss the Kingdom lol. Now I also know that there are times when people get offended and then react out of their hurt and pain and betrayal and get mean and ugly, and they are not with or for that fellowship or leadership and in turn spread lies and are malicious towards them, and end up demonizing them. The apostle Paul said, to mark those that cause division among you, which he was dealing with individuals who were trying to undermine the purpose of God for that fellowship by gossiping and turning people against each other, which that is a whole other post. So just realize my friends that just because someone is not with you does not mean that they are not for you, have an awesome week!
Posted on: Mon, 19 May 2014 21:08:33 +0000
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