What is one of the hot-button issues in the church today? Spiritual gifts. It’s not something the secular community is abuzz about, but it certainly is something of a provocation between Christians. Wonder why?
It’s not really too hard to figure that one out. I only have to go back as far as my childhood to begin to understand it. I remember Christmas – I was always wanting what others got. My parents used to take great pains to be sure to spend as much on one of us as on the other to prevent jealousies. “He got more than I got” was a common cry of “injustice.” I am embarrassed to tell that story – but it explains the jealousies Christians have over spiritual gifts.
I’ve noticed over the years, that it is generally a difference in spiritual giftedness that cause churches to split. There may be other issues, but many times, it is a gift-issue. Have you noticed that those gifted with evangelism want everyone else to be an evangelist? And they feel like those who are not as passionate about evangelism as they are simply undedicated if they are saved at all! So it goes with just about any gift. If allowed to rumble within the church this way, then the church members begin to hurt one another’s feelings, causing splits through splintering. Yes, it would be the gift that splinters the church!
Pastors, deacons, Sunday School Teachers, and leaders of every kind need to be aware of this basis for disputes, and model a spirit of unity in the midst of diversity. Our gifts are given to BENEFIT the church, not splinter her. Leaders need to model it by valuing those of different gifts and show the church (deliberately, mind you) how each gift is working in the church. The followers will get the picture some day, and begin to practice the unity needed within the church as well. How much more peaceful and powerful will be the church with a multitude of gifts operating in synch with one another to perform that which is pleasing to the Lord of Lords! Truly, that is a church where ALL believers will “fit in.”
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Pastor Greg