Toolbox For Faith

At the end of second Corinthians, Paul writes

“And that’s about it, friends. Be cheerful. Keep things in good repair. Keep your spirits up. Think in harmony. Be agreeable. Do all that, and the God of love and peace will be with you for sure.”
2 Corinthians 13:11 from The Message

Paul’s words echoed in my mind as I read a copy of an email sent to dozens of members in another congregation complaining that their church is growing smaller and less friendly due to the pastor. The email bothered me greatly because the writer blasted everything and then pushed a button on a computer spreading their discontent to everyone in their address book, making sure that those people knew the writer was unhappy. What made it even more unfair was that the writer had not bothered to talk this over with the pastor and did not know what was happening in the congregation.

The writer did entirely the opposite of what Paul says, “Keep things in good repair… Think in harmony. Be agreeable.” Instead of creating harmony, many Christians act as un-Christians creating dysfunction, hurt, anger, and stress within the church. They want their own way and refuse to look at other options. To be faithful, we must align our lives with Christ’s teachings and Paul’s advice. We need to work together to solve problems within congregations, not fire off angry, destructive emails.

We in the church are called to be examples of Christ in words and actions. We are to act in love and even email in love. More of us need to read and reread Paul’s words.