No one should ever consider themselves to be a master parliamentarian until they have successfully moderated several years of church business meetings. Almost every church can tell nightmarish stories about business meetings that got out of control. I once heard a story about a particular business meeting that shows the plight of many churches. The pastor in this church recommended that they purchase a new chandelier for the auditorium. Immediately, one of the influential members arose and stated; "Pastor, I am opposed to buying a new chandelier for the church, and I have several good reasons for my opposition. First, no one knows how to spell it. Secondly, I don't know of anyone that can play it. Lastly, what we need in here is more light!"
In thirty-nine years of being a pastor, I have been blessed with churches that have been largely supportive and easy to lead. Yet, like most pastors, I could often equate my daily activities to something akin to herding cats. We are too prone to look at life and our surroundings from our personal eyes of experience and preference rather than seeking that which is best for all as we serve the Lord and try to reach the lost for Christ. I would not want to pastor a church where the membership was all blended into a bland state of sameness. God created each of us with unique abilities and characteristics that with proper use can bless the entire body of believers within the church.
The fact that we are unique personalities carries some inherent dangers that we should consider. We must never allow our pride and self-will to drive us to seek preeminence, "I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church." (III John 9-10). Our way may be a good way, but it may not be the only way.
We are better off when we don't try to play God in the lives of others. Our forbearance allows God to provide His leadership rather than stirring up bitterness, "I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:1-3). We must also keep in mind that God made us different by His design and we should relish our customized gifts and callings, "But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.... For the body is not one member, but many. That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular." (I Corinthians 12:11-14, 25-27).
Sadly, Satan never has to directly attack some churches because they do a very effective job of neutralizing themselves from God's cause. Perhaps it's time for all of us to spend more time asking God for His leadership rather than getting on our soap boxes to declare the superiority of our preferences. Perhaps we need a revival of putting the other brother first, instead of demanding that we get our perceived "fair share".
We are in a great spiritual war! We can't win in our ability. Perhaps we need to learn from the example of Israel as they faced their foe, "O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children." (II Chronicles 20:12-13)
I love the local church. I love all of the colorful characters that make up this God ordained organism. Organized chaos will always be a part of the local church until Jesus comes, but wouldn't it be wonderful if we all had the ultimate desire to please the Lord first and foremost.
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