From our Pastor...

I am BAPTIST through and through; always have been – always will be. I believe we Baptists (even taking into account the various streams and different leanings) are doctrinally and methodologically the most Scripturally consistent and sound Christian group. However, there is one area of Baptist governance that, although a strength, must be followed with extreme caution and sensitivity, with extraordinary love and grace. As far as polity, we proudly employ congregational government. That’s the official term for saying all members have a say and a vote and majority dictates. The potential problem of congregational government is that we all don’t always have the same opinion about timing, what’s important, or how to do things, and we don’t always get our way. We all have heard quips similar to this: “Where you have two Baptists in a room, you will have three opinions.” Any time there is a vote, whether it is on something big or something small, there is the potential for division and hurt feelings. The Bible makes it clear that God wants unity to be one of the church’s highest priorities. On the day before His crucifixion Jesus prayed: “I pray . . . that all of them may be ONE, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be ONE as we are ONE: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:20-23).

According to The Nelson Bible Dictionary, UNITY is defined: “Oneness, harmony, agreement.” I like the way the Apostle Paul described and encouraged unity in his letter to the Philippians: “Stand firm in ONE spirit, contending as ONE man for the faith of the gospel . . . make my joy complete by being likeminded, having the same love, being ONE in spirit and purpose” (Philip 1:27; 2:2). Even when we disagree, we must be absolutely committed to being ONE in mind, heart, spirit, and purpose. That’s possible because the common denominator in those four areas is JESUS CHRIST. Paul wrote: “In Christ we who are many form ONE body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Rom 12:5). In Christ, we are ONE body, ONE church, ONE family. Unity requires commitment and intentional effort. James challenged: “You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor” (Jms 3:18).

Without getting into too much detail, based on Jesus’ example and teachings, there are several important keys to maintaining unity in the church: 1) We must put away our selfishness and start focusing on others; 2) We must put away our pride and humble ourselves; 3) We must be committed to discerning and obeying God’s will, even when it’s not our will; 4) We must put away our judging and treat everyone with the same grace and mercy we receive from Christ; 5) We must be patient and forbearing with one another; 6) We must put away our arguing and complaining and start encouraging and uplifting one another; 7) We must treat each other with love and respect; (con’t on last page 8) We must speak together honestly but gently; 9) We must get to know each other better; 10) We must express our love to God TOGETHER (worship); 11) We must serve God TOGETHER (service/ministry); 12) We must study God’s Word and grow TOGETHER (discipleship); 13) We must tell people about Jesus TOGETHER (evangelism/mission), and 14) We must share our Christian journeys TOGETHER (fellowship /community).

In light of the major issues we voted on at the July 21 church conference, let me make a few summary statements: GOD WANTS UNITY IN THE CHURCH! It’s okay to disagree, but we must NOT let our disagreements lead to division. If you got your way, don’t gloat. If you didn’t get your way, don’t pout. Remember: we’re in this thing TOGETHER; there are no enemies. We all want what’s best for the church. In Christ, we are ONE – one body, one church, one family – so ALWAYS focus on Christ. “How wonderful it is, how pleasant, for God’s people to live TOGETHER in harmony (unity)! . . . For there the LORD bestows his blessing” (Ps 133:1,3). Always remember: Jesus Loves You And So Do I!

~ Pastor Jimmy ~