Church, in Christ alone.

When an elder in the faith gathers believers around him without first asking or gaining approval from the local religious leaders, it never goes well with the religious leaders naturally.

The threat of losing members never sits well with almost any religious leader. Naturally, the budget is dependent of the members’ contributions. Less number of members would almost entail less possibility for the bills to be paid.

Yet, Christ see things differently:

““Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.” “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”” (Luke 9:49-50)

I had always thought that it would have been a great thing to have more workers added to the field. But some of us naturally see more workers as a hindrance keeping us from being praised and glorified. We often see it as a saturation of workers, when in fact it is a blessing to have more hands to help than less. It is a blessing for our work to be lessened and than increased so that we all can rest sooner than later.

A pastor can naturally become overwhelmed with anxiety with the belief that a committee has taken over the congregation before him, doing things without his approval. And a committee can be overwhelmed with anxiety with the belief that members are leaving the congregation because the pastor’s not doing enough.

My message to the pastor and the committee is this: See things from Christ’s perspective and all will be well with our hearts. Because…

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” (Psalm 127:1)

Christ builds and keeps watch over His Church.

If we’re committed to the love God has for us, we can be useful to each other. And if we’re pastoring each other with the love God has for us, we will surely be of good help to each other.

Pulling out a rap sheet, a list of bad records against each other will never point us in the right direction.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

See things from Christ’s perspective and we’ll have nothing to worry about.

“I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Be blessed in Christ alone. Be hopeful in Christ alone. Rest in Christ alone.