Full Quiver Ministries

I feel like there is a pull to stand out as a Christian writer that is kind of strange for the kingdom: Saying something that no one else is. It’s the idea of originality and authenticity but with an aura of exaggerated need for individuality. It’s the desire for my insight to reign supreme among those giving it. Disconnected from the revealing of scripture by the Holy Spirit, it’s ego and a plea for importance. It’s a strange way of thinking about Christian writing and lately I’ve been feeling the pull to agree with that idea of living. Where do you think this need for originality in the kingdom comes from? I mean, If we’re growing into an image of Christ, shouldn’t we all be saying and doing what He does?

 I think if I’m reading suspense novels or thrillers or comedies that originality and unique thought is a healthy expectation and criteria. No one really wants to re-read the same regurgitated ideas and plot lines! But I don’t think that this should always be the case in the Kingdom. If we are truly following Christ, then eventually, we will all say the same things, even if we use different vernaculars. What I’m not saying is that we should parrot the same theology, doctrines and talking points to unify a fractured and divided faith. I’m also not trying to make a case for you to believe mine. I’m saying that we should all be in pursuit of Jesus in a real and authentic way that brings us to an honest realization of who He is. We may all describe our experiences with him through a different lens, but it should all align with His true character and nature and likeness. Paul gives us a unique insight on how followers of Jesus can and should use community to find out the heart of Jesus. I believe that’s the thought behind a particularly confusing passage of Paul’s. Let’s look at it together. My hope from this post is that you find a reason for community with people who think differently than you do about the Lord’s nature and character: mutual growth. 

In the following directives, I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.

1 Cor. 11:17-21 (NIV)

It’s an interesting thought that there should be differences among us. I’ve always attended church. I’ve been in church since I was a small child. I feel like we’ve been to a lot of the denominations that were available in our area and have seen a plethora of leadership styles, but one thing I feel is constant in everyone of the denominations and congregations that I’ve attended is the well intentioned idea that people who believe alike should worship together. It sounds good, but it encourages uniformity of thought not unity. I find that this can also be supported through a short sighted approach to church leadership that has unfortunately been popularized in the last few decades. This approach says that the pastor of any congregation must be the smartest in the room, and they cannot share their weaknesses for fear of losing the trust of their congregation. It pushes leaders into isolation and hiding and limits the ability for growth through community. Fear of loss of authority or pride fuels a uniform mindset in that if I cannot admit that I am wrong or have missed the mark, then I cannot grow.

The need for growth and change are made evident through failure and pain. These are the road signs of spiritual growth. Without them, we remain stagnant.  With them, I am invited to display humility and embrace truth. I am convinced that I should always be changing as I age. I should always be searching for a deeper understanding of truth that is framed in the lens of Jesus’ heart, character and teachings. The issue arises when I see something displayed in the life of Jesus and I refuse to change. Jesus is never the problem, the way I think, believe and behave always is. 

So how does a community of believers fit into this? The community is responsible for seeking the Lord through prayer and study of His Word for the answers to questions that create division in the Body of Christ. Difference of opinion on what Jesus meant does not necessitate severing relationships. Both parties are responsible for taking their beliefs about God and His scriptures to the Holy Spirit for illumination. Both parties are responsible to change when the way they live is not in accordance with what God is saying and doing. 

To be honest, it is an odd thought that there should be factions in a church to promote growth, but I believe that factions of thought inside a body of believers that remain in community with a positive outlook on their “opponents” is a sign of a healthy body. I had a conversation recently where we discussed the necessity of an award at a bible school for being the most like Jesus. The contention here is that an award for being Christ-like, a man described as a “Suffering Servant” in Isaiah 53, is a little ironic. Through the conversation, I believe we came to the conclusion that an award like this can be good. The truly Christ-like will surrender the glory to God, the ones that win the award and it affects negatively (pride, condemnation, exclusion) may be forced to confront their own heart postures, and the ones who do not win the award will be faced with the same confrontation. The differences in our opinions, through community and conversation, led to a conclusion that we felt reflected the nature and character of God.

This leads to something I feel I would like to say here and it is on the subject of what I’m calling the perversion of boundaries. I find that some are using offense as a justification for withdrawal and isolation and calling that process of isolation for perceived safety “Setting Healthy Boundaries”. I’m not an expert on the subject of boundaries but as someone who seeks to employ healthy boundaries, I want to make a statement about their use and what I believe healthy boundaries are. Boundaries are not meant to keep you safe from other’s opinions or from betrayal and pain that can be experienced living in community. They are meant to keep you from abuse and exploitation. The active harboring of offenses by the spiritually immature is what has enabled and encouraged the unhealthy use of boundaries. Please hear me, leave the abusive relationship! Please protect yourself and your children from being exploited! If you feel that you can’t do it on your own, then reach out for help! You are not alone and there are people willing to help you escape. But do not become offended because someone wouldn’t validate your feelings and use the offense as an excuse to sever relationships. Remember what Proverbs says: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” (Prov. 27:6) In all honesty, I think that we can learn two solid truths about the perils of community from Jesus’ disciples: 

1. In a group of 12 people, as many as 10 may deny you, 1 will betray you, but 1 will be there when you need them. 
2. The process of restoration through love in the context of community brings a resilience to any group that can even weather threats of death.

The unchanging truth about following Jesus is that the farther I go, the more I will look like Him. I will sound like Him. I will act like Him. I will be submitted and surrendered to the same pruning that Jesus talked about (John 15:1). This process should not bring uniformity of thought, but uniformity of the message and unity of thought where our hearts purpose is to display what Jesus is like to the world. It should bring a bunch of unique individuals to the place where even though we may say things in a different way, we are all saying the same thing: Jesus Christ is Lord of my life! Let’s grow up to be like Him, together.