Sisters and Brothers...
Our world seems to be in chaos right now. Young people enjoying camp, in Norway, face the real threat of serious violence when an armed man, intent on killing as many people as he can, opens fire on their camp, for an hour and half. Daily, it seems, we read or hear about some suicidal zealot, who attaches a bomb to his or her back and walks into a public area, killing as many people as they can and killing themselves. Its not just overseas either. Labor battles in the NFL have led both parties to take verbal jabs at the other, even though there would come a time when they would all have to work together again. But perhaps the greatest illustration of how our times are just out of sync come through the ongoing budget battles in Washington D.C. The problem with the neverending sour notes that flow from the ongoing fight is that it, often times, pits citizen against citizen as well. Our world, our society, our country is at odds. If we aren't fighting, something feels wrong, doesn't it?
The reality is, as Jesus and any historian knows, that conflict between people, parties, countries, and couples happens. When we are dealing with human emotions and human limitations, conflicts are inevitable. It is not that conflict in and of itself is bad; it isn't. But as Matthew 18 teaches, and as our tradition illuminates, how we handle conflict makes the difference. Will we, like the punks in Washington, continue to fight, fight, fight, creating more victims of the common folk? Will we surrender our knowledge of right and wrong to the desire for revenge, violence, and hatred like the religious zealots all over the world? Will we succomb to the allure and seduction of wealth and status, like the NFL, leaving nothing but questions and pain? Or will we choose another way?
Jesus tells us how to deal with personal conflict in Matthew 18: 15-20, and this has long been the resource and model for how the Brethren have handled conflict/sin within the church. (I think the church's obsession with sin led into dark, questionable areas of judgment and damnation, and i dont believe Jesus was talking about sin). Anyway. Jesus tells us that if someone takes issue with you, go to them, talk it out, work it out, and make it known that something is wrong. Dont be passive-aggressive and use the press or Rush Limbaugh to further your agenda. Talk to the person.
If that doesn't work, and sometimes conflict is so difficult and deep, take a friend, a community member, so that they can facilitate and oversee the process. If, even with an objective set of eyes, no resolution occurs, then take the matter before the whole body, and if that doesn't bring resolution, then a spiritual "separation" is necessary to maintain the health and well-being of the whole. But the church must always leave the door open for reconciliation and restoration, no matter how severe and deep the conflict goes.
The goal is a holistic community full of brothers and sisters who will walk together through the fires of hell, and they will stand beside and with each other in: one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.
But in our me first culture any concern that doesn't put my needs, my wants, or my desires first often leads to me walking out, leaving, letting my absence be the voice. That, folks, is not acceptable. Not Christian. And not loving. What does honor Jesus? Sitting down and working through the muck and mire of being a community. Sitting down and hashing out what elephants exist in our body. And honestly and lovingly deal with whatever cancers arise or exist, so that we, as a whole, can be healthy, holistic, and more Christlike.
This Sunday we have that chance. But it takes an honest effort, from us, to be vulnerable and honest and loving as we let our grievances out so that we can the healing power of Jesus in. If we do not enter into the process of reconciliation with a deep desire for a healthier body, we might never know the beauty, power, and joy of BEING the CHURCH! So join us in naming the elephants, throwing the elephants away, and stepping into a new day, a new creation, a new being as the West Milton Church of the Brethren. God is there waiting, we just need to show up.
Amen....
Shalom,
jerry
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