What is wrong with this church/corps? People annoy me, the bookkeeper stole the offering…again, there have been three marital affairs in the past 12 months, the pastor/officer’s life does not match his/her preaching, no one is interested in outreach, the gossiping is utterly ridiculous, not enough people are willing to invest in the lives of the young people, etc. What is wrong with this church/corps? Does this sound vaguely familiar?
Maybe my answer seems simple, but I do think that the basis for the problem is relationship. The relationship between the individual church member and the Lord is missing the mark. I’m not saying that everything will be perfect if the relationship mentioned is growing, but it sure will be better. Warren Wiersbe writes, “...that our relationship to Him and His Word determines the life and ministry of the local body.” (Be Victorious; Christ You are an Overcomer; 1985; 2008) It seems so simple, but I know that my relationship with God takes intentional time and effort. And my relationship with church members takes intentional time and effort. Maybe it’s time to take an inventory of my relationship with God and me, of my relationship with other church members, with how I am intentionally growing those relationships.
James 4:1, 7 (NIV) – “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it…Submit yourselves, then, to God…” The problems, which the early church encountered, sound like the same problems which are encountered today.
Lord, may I continue to invest time in our relationship. May I clearly hear what you are saying to me when I miss the mark AND when I get it right. May our relationship be so healthy and strong that my relationship with other people will result in beautiful, enticing fruit. Amen
