Congregational Unity

Three weeks back I wrote a blog entitled Miscalculations. In the article, I outlined eight areas as a church that we must not neglect as we advance the gospel in Goose Creek. ​

Here is the list of those eight areas:​

1. We can’t neglect discipleship
2. We can’t neglect the call to evangelistic urgency
3. We can’t neglect the pursuit of personal holiness
4. We can’t neglect congregational unity
5. We can’t neglect the clear expositional teaching of God’s Word
6. We can’t neglect extravagant generosity
7. We can’t neglect genuine worship
8. We can’t neglect fervent prayer

The past few weeks at New Life we have emphasized the importance of discipleship, evangelistic urgency and the pursuit of personal holiness. Our focus today is congregational unity. The week after Easter is a great time to reflect on the importance of this topic. Easter at New Life was fantastic! If you were unable to make the 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. gathering you were missed and I hope you had a great day celebrating Christ.

I have have had the privilege to serve churches as both pastor and youth pastor starting back in my early 20’s. You can do the math, but needless to say by God’s grace I have been doing ministry for many years. One thing that encourages my heart is the unity we have experienced at New Life. I am thankful because God loves unity and hates dissension. His disdain is especially against those that create dissension. King Solomon shared these words of wisdom with his son in Proverbs 6:16-19 "There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers."

Solomon reminds us that unity is very important to God! In this passage, the one that creates strife among brothers is associated with a list of evil doers. We must protect unity and avoid dissension! Here are a few suggestions to protect our unity.

1. If you have a complaint or concern with someone go to them and seek reconciliation. When we are offended our typical response is retaliation. By nature we create greater strife by sowing words of discord and disunity. Our priority however should be reconciliation. Remember we show the character of Christ when we walk in  reconciliation and forgiveness.
   
   
2. If you have a complaint or concern about the church talk with an elder. Within the context of church ministry people often feel neglected and needs go unmet. This is not a new problem and it is not specific to New Life. Elders have the responsibility to protect the church by protecting the unity. Remember a primary role of an elder is to protect and model unity within the church.
   
   
3. Another thing that will help bring unity is when church leaders (pastor/elders) and the congregation live in peace with one another (1 Th. 5:12,13), fulfilling their responsibilities to one another. The NT repeatedly exhorts and teaches Christians about peacemaking:

• ​Blessed are the peacemakers (Mt 5:9)
• Be at peace with one another (Mk 9:50)
• Live in peace (2 Cor. 13:11)
• Being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:3)
• And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace (Jas 3:18).
• Let him seek peace and pursue it (1 Pe. 3:11).
• Be at peace among yourselves (1 Th. 5:13)

Pastor Billy