It’s clear that the Bible tell us that Christians are to be ‘one body’ with Christ being our ‘head’. Yet, being one body doesn’t mean that we are of ‘one mind’ and everyone knows that friction within the local church community is not uncommon.
From disagreements between leaders regarding the use of finances to disparity amongst members regarding the choice of songs – no church is truly free of conflict.
Yet, despite the disagreements, despite the different personalities and despite the different preferences, people within local churches come together on a week basis (and often more than once a week), forming a harmonious and cooperative social construct.
Why is this so? Why do church-goers do this?
The easy and correct answer is indeed ‘the Gospel’. However, let’s dig a little deeper.
Conflict is inevitable
The first thing I try reminding myself whenever I see church conflict is: we a group of sinners who need God’s grace and the Bible’s guidance. The fact that we are God’s ‘chosen people’ does not mean that we are perfect people. Instead, we are (way) less than perfect people who are grouped together, which inevitably leads to tension and conflict.
And that’s why being ‘one body’ is sometimes a challenge.
The Bible’s example of conflict
In 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, verses 10 to 17, we see how Paul addresses conflict and division within the church. In the Corinthian church, members were saying that they follow Paul, others were saying that they were follow Apollos, and others were committed to Cephas.
Paul begs the Corinthian church to agree with one another and be perfectly united in mind and thought. Using rhetorical questions, Paul reminds the church that no member was baptised in his, Apollos’ or Cephas name, and no leader can claim that they were crucified as an atonement for the church’s sins. Only Jesus can make this claim, and Jesus is not divided.
Ultimately, Paul reminds the church that as Christians, our salvation and purpose is derived from a single source – Jesus – and that means that we’re all in this together.
A reason to persevere through conflict
Ephesians chapter 4, verses 11 to 16 has really encouraged me this year.
Verse 11 says that Jesus himself gave us the apostles, the leaders, the pastors, our bible study leaders, etc. (i.e. all the people that help run the church), reminding me that my church community is a blessing from God.
Verses 12 says that Jesus did this and gave us these people for a reason – to equip and build up his people.
And what are we being equipped for and building towards? Well, verse 13 says that we should keep equipping and building up people until we all reach unity in the faith and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. What a wonderful thing to attain!
Finally, verse 16 takes the metaphoric concept of being ‘one body’ further, calling us to be like ‘ligaments’ who join and hold the body together, allowing the body to grow and build itself up in love.
The challenge of being ‘one body’
I admit that I’m not like everyone at church. I love sport way too much. I’m possibly a little too extraverted and my sense of humour may not be for everyone. However, I love the people in my church and have never felt out of place.
My church prides itself as being a community that looks out for each other, but that doesn’t mean that we have no conflict. It doesn’t mean our leaders always see eye to eye. It doesn’t mean that tension between members is non-existent. And it doesn’t mean that everyone just simply ‘gets along’. Being sinful people means that all this conflict is inevitable.
However, compared to other social gatherings that I’ve been a part of, the church remains the most harmonious and cooperative. The Bible explains that this is because Jesus himself has made it this way as we all seek to attain the fullness of Christ.
Jia Pan Xiao attends GracePoint Chinese Presbyterian Church and is an employment lawyer working in Sydney. In his spare time, Jia Pan enjoys watching American sports, drinking coffee and devouring chocolate mud-cake.
Jia Pan Xiao's previous articles may be viewed at http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/jia-pan-xiao.html