Lent day 26

 I wasnt going to post today because I genuinely couldnt think of anything at all to say. And then just before bedtime (actually 1am - must get my errant body clock in order) I remembered that this past week Ive had two conversations with people from different churches about people in their congregations who are trying to derail what God is doing.  Not on purpose.  Well, maybe on purpose. But probably not maliciously.  These are people who genuinely think they are doing what God wants but are actually just resisting change, or being super critical of everything leadership proposes or taking over some aspect of church life uninvited and sowing division..... etc etc.  In both situations theres a core group of people praying, encouraging, supporting the vision and doing the hard work. But it only takes a tiny bit of yeast to permeate the whole batch of dough.  And one or two influential 'bad apples' can have a disproportionately devastating effect 

It is exhausting dealing with the nay-sayers. It is frustrating trying to pacify the aggressors and mediate between the rabble rousers.  What does Jesus do with these people?  What is His strategy for dealing with them?  All churches have them and often it seems the more God is doing, or is about to do, the greater the murmuring and complaining.  Moses knew all about it.   In  my head theres usually an argument about Jesus welcoming everyone and the fact that we need to love the sinner and recognise that we dont fight against flesh and blood etc etc.  But actually, and surprisingly the Bible is pretty clear about what we need to do in these situations

2 Timothy 3:1-5 But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Avoid them.  Dont get involved in their arguments and campaigns. Dont invite them for tea and try to be kind to them. Leave them alone. Ignore. Seems harsh doesnt it? But this is Paul talking and I reckon he knew a fair bit about how to do church. And he says to focus on the people who love God and acknowledge His power.  Annoyingly he also says that we will probably always have those irritating, negative, unappeasable, proud people in church.  Jesus probably isnt going to zap them with bolts of lightning. 

Surround yourself with the good guys. Be a good guy yourself and make sure you are standing close to your leaders protecting them as much as you can.  Feed your leaders with encouragement and positivity and praise for all the great work they do. Stamp on gossip and lies and negativity wherever you see it.  Healthy debate and disagreements are fine - moaning and complaining isnt.  I've got a poster in my downstairs loo called 'Rules for Living'  One of the rules is  'Be the most positive and enthusiastic person you know'.  How about that for todays challenge?  Off you go and be positive and enthusiastic all day and see how you feel by bedtime.