The moon was full on the island of Ecclesiastica, and a hot breeze was blowing, an unnaturally hot breeze emanating from the massive fire everyone was dancing around.
Chief Reficul had on his best ceremonial garments and an evil glint in his eye. The evil of that glint, though, was imperceptible to all but a few who knew him best, for he had managed through the years to pass himself off as a wise and beneficent leader of the varied groups of the faithful.
“My people,” he thundered as the drums came to an abrupt halt, “It is time to begin preparing the meal. For too many years you have suffered at the hands of your enemies. We will now make things better, much better. A return to cannibalism will ensure your victory and success!”
The assembled crowd roared with almost unanimous approval. Almost unanimous
“My chief,” came a timid voice from the front, “I am still not certain. I do not mean to question your wisdom, but how can devouring one another bring us victory? Would it not be better for us to stand shoulder to shoulder in the face of the enemy? True, we have our differences one with the other, we may not be able to agree on everything, but a return to cannibalism seems like such a drastic step, and one that will weaken us before our enemies.”
“Silence!” the chief screamed in anger. “Do you not see how dangerous you are to each other, and how necessary it is for you to devour those with whom you have the slightest disagreement? Those who would destroy you are growing stronger by the day, we must take this step at once to avert disaster!”
The multitude shouted their approval. They danced; they drummed; they celebrated. All reason was gone, all sensibility drowned in a cacophonous flood of self destruction. And so it was that the people of Ecclesiastica had a feast; a cannibalistic, murderous buffet of their own brothers and sisters. And all the while their enemies, the real people of chief Reficul, sat back and watched in amazement as those whom they had fought for so long self- destructed.
Galatians 5:14-15 says “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.” Paul was reminding the church at Galatia that they were capable of doing what the enemy could not do, they were capable of destroying themselves. Jesus said that the very gates of hell would not prevail against the church, but he never said that the church itself would not prevail against the church.
I am blessed both to pastor and to preach evangelistic meetings in a great many churches around the country. I have a fairly wide perspective to see the damage churches often do to themselves. That being the case, here are some simple rules for making sure that churches do not become restless natives, destroying themselves.
One, never split a church to start a church. Doing so does not create another body of believers, it saws one body in half and unrealistically expects both bloody halves to live and thrive.
Two, if you have a problem with someone in the body, deal with it privately, not publicly, and certainly not on social media.
Three, be mature. No pastor should ever have to chase people with perpetually hurt feelings.
Four, have roots on your feet, not springs. Be so steady and faithful that your children learn by watching you. Church
hoppers beget church hoppers.
Five, forgive, and do so quickly. Fast forgiveness cures 99.99 percent of all church conflicts before they ever get big enough to do damage.
Short and simple thoughts, yes. Feel free to tweet me yours: @PreacherBo
Bo Wagner is pastor of the Cornerstone Baptist Church of Mooresboro, N.C., and the author of several books available at wordofhismouth.com. Contact him at 2knowhim@cbc-web.org.