I became an Adventist when I was in my teens. I can just imagine the surprise on the faces of the congregation in this church the first Sabbath our family attended here. The service was about to begin and everyone was seated in “their’ seat, (You know how it is if anyone takes “your” seat!!) when in troops this parade……. Mom and Dad in front, eyes darting nervously from side to side searching for some vacant places, followed by a string of 9 kids – like a row of ducklings following their parents into a pond. These rows don’t accommodate 11 people – even 11 new, sticking out like sore thumbs people – so we had to split up, us big ones finding seats and lifting little ones onto our laps to fit in.
We were welcomed after the service and told to feel at home and gradually in the weeks and months that followed we did begin to feel that we belonged. We had joined a family rather like ours. Quite a big family composed of a wide variety of people – each with their own quirks and beliefs and tender spots.
When we went on holiday, you can just imagine how cramped it was to travel to Durban in a station wagon with a family that size. Each of us had our place to sit but as the miles got longer the spaces seemed to get smaller, and the bickering would begin:
Stop putting your leg on my side. I’m not. You are. I’m not.
Mom, Her leg is on my side!
No wonder my dad chose to travel at night while we were all asleep!
But, despite the squabbles, we are a close family. We love each other. We enjoy being together, love each other fiercely and support and help whoever needs it. As we mature the bickering stops.
Our new church was a bit like that. I well remember one old biddy who was very smart and correct, who used to dye her grey hair a, then fashionable, pale lilac colour. She was loudly stating her objection to the suggestion that a new young man be appointed as a “learner’” deacon. Her objection? His hair was too long!
We joined at the time when there was a big fuss made about tea. There were two types of tea. Rooibos tea and “sinners” tea. Each time there was a tea party one of the prominent ladies, who enjoyed “sinners” tea, would state her case: I can’t stand that funny tea. The Lord will just have to make allowances or I won’t go to heaven’
There were petty squabbles, too. One very efficient head deaconess had been in power for several years. She was not at church one week when a crisis arose. There was no paper in the ladies toilets. Panic! A non-deaconess stepped up to save the day. “I know where she keeps it”,and she saved the day by producing several rolls. The next week the poor “saviour” was subjected to a thorough tongue lashing by the deaconess for having dared to touch the supplies! Isn’t it funny how even now we hate it when anyone touches our stuff?
That is how it is in a family sometimes. But we learn to cope with one another’s idiosyncrasies. Despite our quirks, our crabbiness, we learn to love and accommodate each other. We learn when to tread softly, who to avoid, and peace reigns in the home. Over the years we even cease to think they are strange. We accept that that is just how they are. For many years peace and love have reigned at J/North.
Recently the peace at J/North has been shattered.
Petty issues have begun to divide former friends. Old hurts have surfaced. Unkind words have been flung about. Brothers and sisters have taken sides. Criticism abounds and no-one is immune from it because we all have our weaknesses. This is not just the bickering of a family. This is much more serious. This is like a family heading for divorce. We have been picking up rocks to throw at each other – looking for the biggest we can find. Reread scripture reading. We fail to remember Jesus’ words: "If any of you have never sinned, then go ahead and throw the first stone at her!" There is only one sinless one – and He doesn’t throw stones!
God’s church, our family, is under attack. It is battered and bruised. It is bleeding from many wounds. Its as though a wolf came into the sheepfold and began to attack the flock – and then in our confusion we turned on each other.- ripping one another to pieces. We were family. We loved each other. How did we come to the place where we would attack each other?
Act 20:27 - 32 I have told you everything God wants you to know. Look after yourselves and everyone the Holy Spirit has placed in your care. Be like shepherds to God's church. It is the flock that he bought with the blood of his own Son. I know that after I am gone, others will come like fierce wolves to attack you. Some of your own people will tell lies to win over the Lord's followers. Be on your guard! Remember how day and night for three years I kept warning you with tears in my eyes.
Act 20:32 I now place you in God's care. Remember the message about his great kindness! This message can help you and give you what belongs to you as God's people.
God loves His church. When He sees its wounds He feels the pain.
In our church, J/North, it seems the different races can’t worship happily together. There is division between men and women – is it right for women to stand up and speak in church? The conservatives despise the liberals and vice-versa. 1st service is holier than second service. This is not a healthy state of affairs in God’s church. Brothers and sisters this is wrong! This was never Jesus vision for his church.
God says: Gal 3:26- 29 All of you are God's children because of your faith in Christ Jesus.
And when you were baptized, it was as though you had put on Christ in the same way you put on new clothes. Faith in Christ Jesus is what makes each of you equal with each other, whether you are a Jew or a Greek, a slave or a free person, a man or a woman. So if you belong to Christ, you are now part of Abraham's family.
He said – John 13:34, 35 But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
He said – if one part of the body suffers – the whole body suffers.
1Co 12:12 – 13 The body of Christ has many different parts, just as any other body does. Some of us are Jews, and others are Gentiles. Some of us are slaves, and others are free. But God's Spirit baptized each of us and made us part of the body of Christ.
1Co 12:24 – 27 God put our bodies together in such a way that even the parts that seem the least important are valuable. He did this to make all parts of the body work together smoothly, with each part caring about the others. If one part of our body hurts, we hurt all over. If one part of our body is honoured, the whole body will be happy. Together you are the body of Christ. Each one of you is part of his body.
We should be ashamed of ourselves! Let this stop now. Let there be no more negative talk. No more gossip. No more taking sides. We are one. That is your brother, that is my sister – do them no damage. Refuse to listen to those who speak evil.
Is there hope for J/North?? Can we find healing?
It all depends on us. Can we put aside our pride? Can we humbly ask one another for forgiveness? Can we come before our Father and ask him to restore us? Are we willing to do this? In our own strength we are doomed. The J/North church, made of human, vulnerable, people, is fractured and shattered. It is haemorrhaging as members leave to find a kinder, safer environment in which to worship and grow. Only God can repair this breech, but He longs to do so, if we will ask Him to and surrender to the promptings of His Spirit.
The church in Acts was bonded in love. They cared for the poor in their congregation (we have many who are struggling for daily bread), they shared their possessions (imagine that!) they ate together and enjoyed each others company. They prayed together and for each other. Acts is my dream church – united in God. Truly loving one another – in word and action.
What bonded them? Jesus. His death on their behalf set them free from guilt, His forgiveness for their wrongs gave them the courage to forgive one another - if he could accept them they could accept each other, His Spirit gave them power and direction.
They were united in prayer. They were united in common beliefs – still learning and growing and changing, not all identical, but sharing the joy of their salvation and telling about God’s great love for them. Truly the family of God! Held together by the super-glue of the Holy Spirit.
And so I stand here humbly today and I ask for your forgiveness for any negative words I have said, for criticism of my sisters who are different, for allowing petty concerns to take my eyes off of Jesus. For my part in breaking down God’s church. Please forgive me. From now on I pledge to build. I will do my best to speak only positive words, to see the good in each member, to create a spirit of unity. Will you build with me? Can we raise up a temple, a loving home, to our God, here in Roosevelt Park? This is my prayer for J/North this year.
Jesus said John 13:34, 35 But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.
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