COVER STORY
“Following
the Book on Church Dissension” by Jeff Crosno
Since the recording of its establishment in Acts,
the Church has been no stranger to conflict. How can we deal with
it graciously? Dissension is resisted most effectively when congregations
remain canonical, confessional, and Trinitarian.
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FEATURES
- “No One Wins a Church Fight,”
by J. David McClung. Long after the combatants are gone, the scars
of conflict between pastor and people remain. Many times the innocent
bystanders are hurt the most. This isn’t the way the Body of
Christ was meant to behave. Church dissension is avoidable.
- “Abandonment—First
or Last Resort?” by Stan Meek. When church conflict overwhelms
us, abandonment seems an obvious escape. But the church is composed
of redeemed people, whose lives and conduct should reflect Christian
love, forgiveness, patience, and reconciliation. So what are the options
to abandonment?
- “Conflict—Who Needs
It?” by Eddy Hall. Not all conflict is bad. Much tension
is life-giving, inviting us to grow, learn, or develop intimacy. Churches
that habitually run from conflict suffer crippling consequences.
- “Let’s Talk About Money,”
by Kenneth Culbertson. When decisions about money have to be made
in the church, disagreements inevitably arise. Understanding one another’s
money motivations may be a key in resolving financial conflicts.
COLUMNS
- Essay:“Kindergarten
Code,” by Gay L. Leonard. Common courtesies are not common at all; they are splendid. And
small breaches of courtesy are not small at all. They are seeds of
contention and disorder.
- Editor' Forum: This month’s
forum addresses questions about freedom in worship and feasts of the
Lord.
- Portraits:“Patricia
Zamora: God’s Faithful Teacher,” by Debbie Salter Goodwin.
Patricia didn’t spend much time on the streets and in the development
projects before she realized that textbooks and good grades weren’t
enough to motivate people to change. “Now I realize that if
they don’t know God, they won’t change.”
- The Deeper Way:“Orphans,”
by David Busic. Empowerment replaced abandonment as frightened orphans
were transformed into confident sons and daughters.
- Change Agent:“Fear:
Weapon of Mass Distraction?” by Jon Johnston. Unexpectedly,
fear has been more a friend than an enemy in dealing with abrupt,
convulsive, multidimensional change.
- Interconnected:“Confession
Revisited,” by Brad D. Strawn. The authenticity of our relationship
with God is not to be found in a stiff upper lip, stoic solitude,
or spiritual platitudes but in bringing our complaint before the Almighty.
- Family Tree:“Living
Happily Ever After,” by Les and Leslie Parrott. Are we happier
now that we have accumulated more “stuff,” or were we
just as happy when we had next to nothing?
- Commission:“Antidote
for Poison in the Church,” by Jerry D. Porter. There always
will be debates and differences of opinion in the church. Such diversity
reflects the Body’s beautiful kaleidoscope of gifts, ministries,
and perspectives. But toxic dissension poisons the fellowship and
paralyzes our outreach.
- Footprints:“C. B.
Jernigan and the Independent Holiness Church,” by Stan Ingersol.
Jernigan’s quest to be part of a larger Holiness church set
a course that led directly to the union of Western, Eastern, and Southern
Holiness denominations at Pilot Point, Texas, in 1908.
- Holiness:“Beyond the
Spiritual Twilight Zone,” by John A. Knight. The believing child
of God is not consigned to a life of meaninglessness, frustration,
and fruitlessness. By the grace of God it is possible to move out
of the spiritual twilight zone.
NEXT MONTH – Holiness:
A Primer for Nazarenes
- “I Would Like Gardening If
It Weren’t for the Dirt,” by Randall E. Davey.
Nazarenes believe it is possible to move beyond the thorns and thistles
of humanity and see rich possibilities, new creations, transformed
minds, and pure hearts. The power of the Holy Spirit reigning within
makes this transformation a reality.
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