I debated if this was a topic I would blog about, but after much needed prayer time, I sensed that this was exactly what I should blog about.
I am involved in several ministries within my church. They are ministries I feel enthusiastic about and very much led to do. Recently, the leaders in our church decided one of these ministries would not be continued. This particular ministry involved attendance of about 300 people, some from the church and some from non-churched people in the community. The ministry saw numbers of people re-kindling their relationship with God or starting a brand new relationship with God. This ministry was not much of a cost to the church, as the members of this ministry absorbed the cost as a way to give to God.
Here is the thing... I didn't understand how anything that is doing so much good for not only church members, but for the community.... how it can just be tossed aside. I didn't understand how I am supposed to just let go of something I feel strongly that God called me to do.
Here is where my true faith walk started. The old me would have doubted my leader and made sure that I stirred up doubt in others. I think this is a problem that has plagued all kinds of churches. We are not always going to agree with the way our leaders lead. Sometimes, we then leave churches...thinking... "well, I will show him". That is not what we are called to do. I took this to God in prayer, because this was obviously something that was weighing on me. This is what God led me to:
1 Thessalonians 5: 12-13
12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
10 I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. 11 My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another, "I follow Apollos"; another, "I follow Cephas[a]"; still another, "I follow Christ." 13 Is Christ divided
In God's perfect wisdom and will, He has placed my church leaders in leadership over me. I am to lift them up and hold them in the highest of regards. I am to live at peace with them. I am to be united in mind and thought with them. This doesn't mean I have to agree with everything that they do, but it does mean that I will follow their leadership and guidance. I will not be divided in Christ.
One last note, I have always heard that if you feel peace in a situation that you shouldn't feel peace about.....that is God's way of saying, " I am here" "Go where I lead". I don't know what decision is right or wrong, but I do know that I will go where my God leads, and I know that He calls me to follow my present leaders with faith, love, respect.... and most importantly...UNITY.