Challenges

Over the past two months, one pastor friend of mine dissolved a relationship with a church and another is in process of doing so. One was self-initiated, the other forced. In neither case is it a clean process.

I guess the severing of any relationship is messy. Even Paul and Barnabas split on uneasy terms, arguing over John Mark, and probably arguing over aspects of grace, second (or third or fourth) chances, discipline, and faithfulness. I am challenged both to consider my own lack of faithfulness and the inconsistent attendance and efforts of other leaders in our churches. And when things do get messy, what is the mature thing to do?

I wonder when I am old and gray how I will look back on these things. What is a big issue now may very well be forgotten.

Lord, save me from doing or saying things I will later regret, and grant me wisdom to know how to be like Christ in ways that I know I am not. And in all things, help me to grasp tightly on to grace and to give it freely to others.