I have written this addendum to ORID because of the recent events of the last couple of years.  There are changes a foot all over the Western World.

Since writing this article I have seen some friends who are Pastors (or Elders) struggle with conflicts within their congregations.   I appreciate their positions.  Members of a traditional church congregation can be a fickle group.  They can be migratory in nature seeking the best sermons, songs, youth groups, common interests, coffee, etc...  Some other issues of more importance too.

With a desire to keep in the lives of their congregation so that they can continue to have a positive influence they may be tempted to pick their battles or even cave in completely to keep the peace. It is true you should pick your battles but some battles need to be worked through though.

Some Pastors have been horribly burnt in violent church splits and exodus before.  Desperate to avoid similar damage they remain cautious and timid.  I don’t blame them!

Tools like ORID should avoid these events altogether but let us look at an historical case study for a moment...

In the book of Acts we pick up the story of John Mark around chapter 12.  He, Barnabas and Paul embark on Paul’s first missionary journey to the Gentiles.  A long the way John Mark leaves the group and returns to Jerusalem (chapter 13).  This doesn’t go down well with Paul.  Later around chapter 15  Paul and Barnabas plan their second trip.  Barnabas wants to take John Mark with them.  A strong argument erupts (I suspect Luke waters down this account) that results in Paul and Barnabas splitting.  Paul and his team go one way and Barnabas and John Mark head down to Cyprus.  

Wow history warts and all, we had better avoid this at all costs!  However let us look more closely at results before we leave this case study.  

Romans 8:28 (KJV) tells us: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

All the players in this exchange fit the description listed in this verse.  So what was the outcome?  

• Paul’s second journey was a success.
• The Gospel was taken early to Cypress and beyond.
• Paul and Barnabas’s relationship was repaired.
• Verses like Philemon 23 and 24 show us that the bridge between Paul and John Mark were not only repaired but Paul came to rely on him as a trusted companion to the end!

There are other examples too.  Peter and Paul often had dust ups but it is clear hatchets were buried and they became close comrades in arms.

We are told not to act out of fear.  We have to trust that Christ is the head of the Church and that he will sustain it.  If you have a foundation built on the bible, if you have the same desires to serve and obey Christ and if you use tools like ORID you should never get in this position.  If you do remember that all of you should have the same master.  All of you should love one another and all of you should have the same bible to guide you.  If this is true it will work itself out for the good of God’s purposes as promised in Romans 8.

If this is not true, then the ones whom belong to Christ should treat the others with love and respect but in the end you must obey God and not man.  Always leave a bridge to the Gospel open in this process though.  Who knows one day you might be on the same side because of the way you handled this difficult conflict of interest!

Love as Christ loved you.  Obey even the Emperor.  Be as innocent as doves and as cunning as snakes.

Macka.