An elder once shared with a prospective new minister matters pertaining to the makeup of the congregation for which he served as one of the overseers. He lamented the fact the congregation was not that well united. He went on to describe what he saw as the presence of a number of cliques within the church. During the interview process, the elder asked the preacher what he would do in his approach to create one united body and work toward the elimination of the cliques.
The preacher began to share his thoughts with the group of elders that were gathered around the table. He began to suggest how he would take some time either teaching or preaching from the Scriptures the doctrine of unity. Remarkably, the preacher was quickly cut off by the elder, who then stated, “You’re too idealistic.” The preacher left the meeting wondering what the “right answer” might have otherwise been. Was the elder looking for some type of modern day gimmick or ideas that were the fruit of human philosophy?
It is terribly sad that we live in a day when sometimes even the leaders of the Lord’s church no longer look to the Lord or no longer appeal to Bible solutions to life’s or the church’s complex problems. If members of the family of God no longer want to hear from Christ and what He has to say about the unity of believers, then to whom will they turn? How can there be a real solution apart from Christ?
Jesus once told a woman who was living with a man, who was not her husband, to “go and sin no more.” Was that not practical? Was that unreasonable? Was Jesus being “too idealistic” to think she might be able to avoid the same sin in the future?
It is time we all take “the Good Book” down off the shelf, dust it off, open it up to read and digest with profit. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). The day the Word of God no longer has the power to change hearts, transform lives and empower folks to walk as Christ walked will be this writer’s final day as a Gospel preacher.
[Editor’s Note: The correct answer to the problem with cliques (or any of a number of circumstances) posed by elders to the preacher is – the elders – not the preacher – are primarily responsible for feeding the “church of God” (Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:2), ruling the congregation (Hebrews 13:17) and shepherding the flock and being examples (1 Peter 5:2-3). Elderships need to take the lead and accept their biblical responsibilities for guiding the local church, with which a preacher and other members, too, can participate under their direction. Aside from ministers offering suggestions, etc., elders need to be proactive and responsive to the respective congregations over which they have been appointed. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
