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If you follow national news, you know that from time to time our leaders and representatives in Washington cannot come to terms on how to fund federal operations. This can sometimes lead to a “government shutdown,” which means many federal agencies stop performing their functions and services.
Why does this happen? Usually it is because of differences of opinions, disagreements, and sometimes even spite. The greater good for the country is often overlooked for political and personal agendas, and the whole nation suffers.
Sadly, this can happen in the church, as well. Leaders and members can sometimes harbor personal vendettas against one another, fail to compromise on matters of opinion, and refuse to cooperate to keep “so-and-so” from “getting their way.” When there is no cooperation in the body, the work of the church effectively shuts down.
Church, these things ought not be! While a government shutdown most often affects physical services, a church shutdown endangers eternal souls. The vital work of teaching the soul-saving gospel, building up the body, and giving benevolence grinds to a halt when there is no cooperation.
Consider Paul’s word in Ephesians 4:16, which says, “from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.” Every Christian is needed in the work of the church. Let us not allow personal agendas, disagreements, and vendettas to cause a church shutdown. The stakes are too high!
Matt Clifton
BulletinDigest.com