Did you hear the one about the fellow stranded on a deserted island for five years? When he was finally discovered he was eager to show his rescuers the complex of grass huts he had built. There was the sleeping hut, the kitchen hut, the living room hut and the gym hut. Pointing to a hut with a cross on the top he said, "that's where I go to church." Someone noticed another hut down the beach that also had a cross on top of it. "What is that hut?" they asked. The reply was instant, "that's where I used to go to church."
Like it or not that's the culture we live in. Some people change churches almost a frequently as they change clothes. Churches experience difficulties and problems arise leading to a split. People leave. Hearts are broken. Relationships are marred by caustic comments and hurtful words.
I want you to know, however, that a church split does not have to end in tragedy. In the late 1950's the Whitehaven Church of Christ experienced such a split. The matter was complicated even further by the fact that two brothers held opposing views on a particular matter. A group of folks left and went a mile and a half down the road where they purchased property and started a new congregation that became known as the Holmes Road Church of Christ. This is the congregation where I was taken as a baby and where I grew up, was baptized, served as a youth ministry intern while in college and even met my future wife!
Here's what I remember about these two churches. By the time I was a teenager and had any consciousness about what was going on the two congregations had long ago set aside any ill feelings toward one another. They cooperated regularly in community events, supported each other's activities and held each other in high esteem. Today I am the preacher for what was formerly the Whitehaven church. To this day the two congregations work together in a spirit of brotherly love and harmony.
Church splits, although they are often coupled with feelings of bitterness and betrayal can ultimately work out for good. In the case of the Whitehaven and Holmes Road congregations there were two active and growing churches that have made a huge difference in the kingdom for over fifty years. In order for this to happen, however, some critical things must occur.
1. Forgiveness must be extended freely on the part of all involved.
2. A spirit of co-operation must replace a spirit of competition.
3. Leadership in the respective congregations must lead the way.
4. Everyone must understand that the ultimate goal is the salvation of souls and spiritual development of people in an environment where they can best serve and grow.
Jesus prayed for unity. It is through this unity that the world comes to believe that Jesus is Lord. Oh, how needful it is for God's people to stop fighting "turf wars" and help each other against our common foe - the great adversary - Satan.
That's The Way I See It!
