DEALING WITH PROBLEMS IN THE CHURCH 1.

There will always be problems (The Corinthians had problems, the seven churches in Asia had problems, Paul warned us of problems, a. When people dont want to follow the Lords ways b. When people are willingly ignorant, deceiving and being deceived, c. When people love only their own authority d. When people are weak in the faith e. When leaders are immature, insincere, insecure, proud, self-centered, autocratic f. When leaders are ignorant, unbending, tyrannical, novice, unbiblical 2. The mature see this and they survive 3. The simple see this and they are offended 4. God sees this and in the end He can still be glorified a. Gods glory is seen when men prove that they cant be truly see peace without God b. Gods glory is seen when He solves the problems of men in answer to prayer c. Gods glory is seen when the end arrives where men glorify God for being better men after the crisis and a better group because of solidarity

HOW TO HANDLE 1. TENDENCIES a. To listen to one side b. To listen to both sides and try to get to the bottom of the issues, getting all the facts, c. To try to be the judge between the parties d. To try to be in the middle e. To try to sympathize with the underdog 2. EFFECT OF THESE TENDENCIES a. The one in the middle gets infected with poison b. The one trying to solve the problem becomes the problem also c. The one who express the sympathy to one side becomes judgmental of the other d. The leader becomes judgmental of the people involved e. The flock becomes uneasy and is dragged down in the conflict f. The leader becomes insecure and spies around g. The one who expresses sympathy looses interest, becomes untrusting of leadership, looses joy. 3. BETTER THINGS a. Be at peace with GOD b. Pray for the situation c. Read the applicable verses,

d. Do not use human wisdom, psychology, unbiblical counselling methods e. When one side approaches you for counselling against another party, dont involve yourself, bring the offended to the alleged offender f. Ask for permission to pray with the offended and then end the conversation not being entangled with the details.
the WEAK is under consideration, but the WEAK must not be allowed to dictate the phase, and the tenor of the church

When you go to worship, are you looking for things that offend or things that bless? When you make a promise at baptism, is it a promise to men or is it a promise to GOD? When you worship without first reconciling with your brethren, is your worship accepted or not? When it seems that everywhere you go you see the fake Christians, the hypocrites, the untrue, and the pretenders all around, then its time to show the world that you are not one of them, that you are a TRUE CHRISTIAN who forgives, who takes abuse with meekness, who forbears, who humbles down for the sake of reconciliation. Show them.. and be blessed of your God

GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE 2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us. WALKING DISORDERLY WALKING NOT AFTER THE TRADITION OF THE APOSTLES WHAT WERE THE TRADTITION OF THE APOSTLES? 1. EATING without working is walking disorderly

Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: WHAT SHOULD WE DO? (14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. WHAT SHOULD WE NOT DO? (15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. WHAT SHOULD BE THE GOAL? (16) Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all. ANOTHER GROUND FOR DISCIPLINE Php 3:15-19 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (16) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. (17) Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (18) BEING AN ENEMY OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST IS A GROUND FOR DISCIPLINE HE SHOULD BE MARKED (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: WHAT ARE THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCH PERSONS They glory in things which they should be ashamed of They consider their belly as the number one thing that should be pleased The earthly things are more important to them than heavenly things (19) Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) ANOTHER GROUND FOR DISCIPLINE Rom 16:17-18 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which CAUSING DIVISION COMMITTING OFFENSES CONTRARY TO OUR DOCTRINE cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. 1Co_1:10-13, 1Co_3:3,

1Co 1:10-11 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. (11) For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. BEING IN THE SAME MIND 1. 2. 3. 4. Speaking the same thing with all the other church members Trying hard to prevent division and instead blending in Forbearing what can be suffered (even though they were the ones wronged) I Cor. 6:7 If there are differences in opinion, as there always will be, the judgment of the church should be submitted to as the same as his judgment who were before of different opinion than the others. 5. The BIBLE requires no less than perfect joining together of minds, (after decisions of the church are bound) to think contrary to this rule is to be contentious BEING CONTENTIOUS CHARACTERISTIC OF BEING CONTENTIOUS 1. After it is proven that his point is without basis, he still persists in asserting he is right 2. After being asked to settle down, hold his peace, he is not pacified but persists 3. After so many persuasions to just forgive and forget what transpired, he is unforgiving and wants to remain hurt, and does not want to accept any explanation BEING CONTENTIOUS IS THE SAME AS BEING CARNAL 1Co 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? From A PREACHER IN AMERICA, JOHN JONES

Some real thought has been put into your presentation. You really need the wisdom of Solomon. I understand conflict very well ... so I empathize with your situation. I am not sure about your circumstances ... but the first thing I am concerned with is the parties relationship with Christ. Are they willing to be governed by the rule of Christ (Col 3:15)? In fact Colossians 3 deals with the heart of the matter ... mortifying the flesh, putting on Christ and bearing with one another in love. I am also reminded of Phil 2:1-11 ... which speaks of preferring one another and having the mind of Christ. Phil 4:2 talks about Euodia and Syntyche, with Paul appealing to their relationship with Christ. Also John 13 ... as I have washed your feet, wash one another's feet. The fruit of the Spirit -

Gal 5 and 1Cor 13, asking what is biblical love? Love deeply - 1Peter 1:22; 4:8; Heb 10:24. 1Cor 6:7 talks about being willing to be wronged. Sometimes, a pastor cannot win. In the end the Lord has to grant repentance. I like your "Better Things" comments ... only adding the specific parties relationship with Christ. Without Christ, we can only appeal to civility or reasonableness. With Christ we appeal to one's personal walk with the Lord as Peter did in 1Peter 3:7, as he counselled husbands not to be harsh with their wives or it would hinder their prayers (an appropriate warning). There is wisdom in the Tendencies and Effect of These Tendencies comments as well. It tells me you understand human nature and have the scars from the battle. I trust my off the top of my head comments may help spark some thoughts. I am happy to continue the discussion ... God give you wisdom as you pastor broken people ... Bro John