Third step Begins With Grace
Sometimes when we try to evaluate either the clergy or the congregation, we can become immersed in negative criticism. It is too easy to allow fault finding to triumph over the sovereignty of God. Division within the church and among churches is not a new phenomenon. As Paul writes to the Corinthians, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” (1 Corinthians 10 ff) Then he proceeds to talk about the divisions that he has heard exist among that community. Later, in chapter 11 of 1 Corinthians, he suggests that sometimes conflict is necessary in order to clarify the truth. (11:19) But all of these events take place under the umbrella of the incredible grace of God that prepares a church “so that you are not lacking n any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Cor. 4-7)
Even the negative realities within a congregation hold potential for redemptive possibilities if we listen to the call of God. A cold church can rediscover the ministry of hospitality. A self-absorbed church can begin to experience the power of generosity one step at a time. No church is in such a condition that it cannot open itself to the grace of God and rediscover its special calling.
As part of a congregational evaluation, one should continually remind herself that the congregation’s existence is based on the grace of God. It might be important that a congregation review its history and identify graceful moments that reinforce its awareness of the role that grace has played in its life. A powerful biblical image might well be Peter’s denial of Jesus. Three times Peter denied Jesus out of fear. Rather than reject the one who had denied him, we are told in John 21:15-20 that the risen Lord led Peter through a three-fold affirmation of his ministry of responding to others in need in order to restore Peter to full acceptance. If a congregation is feeling despondent about the ineffectiveness of their ministry, perhaps they need to engage in some specific acts of ministry to the less fortunate as an opportunity to restore their awareness of the power of the grace of God.
