Christian Rock Fight!

The other day, on a social media site, a friend of mine “liked” a post from a Christian organization that helps churches attract more congregants. Curious, I briefly perused the “comments” section and found some believers challenging this organization’s efforts. In effect, these individuals were asserting that what churches need to do is focus more on discipling congregants, and less on growing the number of attendees. Days later, I saw a post from another Christian organization addressing its concerns with a Christian leader who had written a book and appeared on television with Oprah. Again, checking the comments section I found Christians arguing if this author should have done such a thing, and how his book addressed the love of God, but did not address the matter of hell. The discussion morphed into an argument about if hell is literal or figurative, and if it is for eternity or not? Now, before you yell “Squirrel!”, and go running off half-cocked with your own opinion on these matters, I need you to sick with me here!

These posts got me thinking about another day and time in my life. As a kid growing-up in suburbia, there were other kids on the block that I didn’t always see eye-to-eye with. These differences led to arguments, and sometimes these arguments led to rock fights! What is a rock fight? Well, its when another kid on your block thinks or acts so different from you, that, in utter frustration, you pick-up a handful of rocks and start chucking (i.e., throwing) them their way. Of course, the other kid, equally as fed-up with you, picks up their own handful and begins returning fire! Yes, ladies, boys will be boys! Then again, growing-up I recall many of the girls engaging in their own brand of rock fights – if you know what I mean.

Now, as a Theologian and Minister of Christian Counseling, I sure do have my own thoughts about effective church growth. But what comes to my mind the most is, that, leading a congregation is, perhaps, one of the greatest challenges God could call any of us to do. I mean, think for a moment what James had to say about leadership: “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.” (James 3:1). Talk about pressure! Fact is, even with the best of intentions, as a Christian leader, I can really mess up the lives of those I’m leading if I'm not careful. Read Paul’s letters to Timothy, his young protégé, who had taken on the role of apostolic representative to the churches in the Asia providence, especially in Ephesus. I mean, come on, Timothy was dealing with false doctrine, safeguarding the public worship of Christ, and developing mature leadership within the congregations. The pressure to break through with the Gospel of Jesus Christ must have been enormous! Timothy lived during a time not unlike ours today; a self-serving, idolatrous culture bent of doing whatever it took to feel good. Pastoring a church in his day and time was no walk in the park; nor is it for those pastoring today!

Yes, discipleship is of great importance within any Christ-centered congregation. After all, our Lord commanded us to do so (see Matt. 28:19). Certainly, a significant part of a Pastor’s responsibility is to train-up new believers into mature believes (see 1 Corinthians 3:2). But show me a church that is not consistently growing in size, and I’ll show you a church that is likely in a slow process of dying – growth is the only evidence of life (see 1 Peter 2:1 – 3).

Simply put, it is a balancing act for Pastors! On one hand, those who already belong to the congregation need to be fed so they can mature; yet, new converts are needed in order to fulfill the Great Commission, and ensure the future life of the church. Too much focus on one or the other will ensure imbalance. For this reason Pastors rarely catch a break! The old saying is true: You cannot please all of the people all of the time. Although, it is believed that Abraham Lincoln was apropos in what he had to say about fooling the people some of the time – but I digress. Here’s a thought, for those who are most concerned about discipling within the church, why not go to your Pastor and ask how you can help out more in this regard? And for those more concerned about evangelizing, why don’t you do the same, ask your Pastor how you can help?

What’s my point in all of this? Well, it’s more of Paul’s point: “You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22 – 24). You see, back in the day, those that I engaged in rock fights with ironically became some of my best friends! I put away my old former ways and grew-up into a mature follower of Jesus Christ. This does not mean I am all that and a bag of chips! God continues His amazing work in my life. What I would like to know is this: When are we, as the Body of Christ, going to grow up and learn to take the fight to our real enemy (see 1 Peter 5:8), and stop being so concerned about what our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ are up to? (See Matthew 7:3 – 4). When are we going to stop poking each other in the eye for the sake of proving our point? Let us build one another up (see Romans 1:8 – 15) instead of splitting hairs over matters that God promises to resolve in time. My Lord commands me to love Him with all I have; to love my neighbor as I love myself (see Luke 10:27); and to love my enemies (see Matthew 5:43 – 48)! I am not perfect at this, but it is something I strive for each day. I found it is impossible to accomplish such acts of love when I’m throwing rocks. My sincere prayer is that we ban together as beacons of hope in these darkening days, and stop hurling criticisms and insults at one another. Lets get our Jesus on and take it to the world!!

__________

Dr. Michael Mannia, D.Min. is President of Kingdom Community Ministries and author of The Conditioned Mind.