Before You Try to Fix the Mess in Your Church – 7 Reflections

Shyju Mathew

"Experience the Word of God, in the power of the Spirit."

November 10, 2014

The purpose of this blog is to empower God’s children to have a closer walk with God. To be able to do so we must also understand how God places His children on earth.

7-reflections

Marriage and Church

Firstly, God never liked the concept of man being alone. He wanted us to understand partnership and dependence on each other through marriage. Simply because together we are stronger. And so when God created Adam and Eve, He also had the church on His mind. So being without a church is not an option.

See Apostle Paul’s writings in Ephesians 5:30, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.”

The man cleaving to the wife very clearly expresses the strong relationship of Christ to his church. It also includes the communion and the affection involved with Christ and the Church.

This also means that being part of a local body is as important as marriage. It brings accountability, partnership, responsibility and care within each other. But many times, just like marriages have hard times, so do relationships within the church.

My first few weeks as a Pastor has been an incredible opportunity to see church in a new light. I see better and clearer than before of how important it is for us to be planted with the body of Christ and through a local church. The enemy tries to turn people lone-wolves that hurt themselves the most than anybody else around them.

And just as a branch that is part of a vine bears much fruit, so is each believer that’s connected and committed to his local church. You breathe in, you drink of and you are strengthened through the fellowship and the spiritual food God releases at your church.

The question then always seem to turn to what if I don’t get fed at my church? What happens when there is injustice in my church? For one, if you’re at the point that you feel that way, then it’s time for you to increase your prayer for your pastor and the church.

1. Over Expectations

Sadly at this point many cease to use the opportunity to shine and be the light in the church for the lack of humility to serve. You cannot lead without being led. You cannot teach, if you are not teachable. [tweet this]

You being faithful in where God has planted you does not mean you have immediate access to the platform. It is not your smart mouth but your servant heart that opens people’s ears to what you have to say. [tweet this]

2. Let Love Lead

Before you try to fix the issues in your church, take time to love your pastor and the people. Serve them without expectations else it becomes your personal agenda to get vengeance. When God sees you being faithful in the little, He will make you a ruler over many. (Matt 25:21)

A praying church will not perish but live again and  declare the glory of the Lord! [tweet this]

3. Trust God – For Real!

Can I also encourage you to trust the Master of the house – Jesus? He is still on the throne. Don’t make the mistake of being over zealous by stepping out of the zone God has positioned you to be in. If you have not been requested to step in, probably God wants you to now support and love till God gives you the opportunity to bear much fruit.

4. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Prayer

Yes, Arab spring revolutions overthrew dictators and also brought in more worse issues in the middle east as we see today. When you see things in your church that disturb your spirit, don’t trust the arm of flesh – that’s the way of the world and not of the Kingdom of God. When you fight your battle, God stands aside. But when you surrender the issues to God in prayer, He will open unimaginable ways.

5. Focus on Your Assignment

It is better to stand still and pray, than to try to fix issues that are not your assignment! Too many that tried to play God has brought more confusion within the body of Christ. [tweet this]

6. But What If God Told Me to Fix This Church?

Well, then God will give you the grace to do it with love and not create a bigger mess. If God is in the assignment, He will also use you to bring solution and peace but not division and rebellion. This is why it is important to seek guidance, and counsel from mature leaders that can help you in your assignment.

7. God Does It Better in His Time

Best example of this is Joseph. Until due time he was insignificant and in the dungeon till one day he was brought forth. It was then did Joseph speak and he was entrusted with power and influence that impacted his entire generation and those behind him.

Be conscious about God’s time and season. Until then, be humble and devoted to God and the body of Christ with prayer and deep groaning for the Master of the House to make Himself known to us.

Blessings!

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