Five years ago when we started Northway Church, one of the things I wasn’t prepared for was criticism. I had a vision of what Northway could be, but I never envisioned that Northway would become a lightening rod for criticism. What shocked me the most was not that we received criticism, but from WHOM the criticism came.
Tragically, it came from other Christians and other churches. It would be easy for me to go to the destructive words they have said thru the years and try to prove or explain why we do what we do…why they were wrong. But I’ve discovered…
1. It’s pointless.
2. It’s draining.
3. It’s a distraction.
That’s probably why it’s the enemy’s #1 goal…DI-VISION. Di-vision keeps us off mission. Di-vision keeps us from keeping the main thing the main thing. Di-vision…Jesus said keeps the world from believing our message about HIM.
So let me encourage you, if you hear anyone trashing any other Christian or any other church, please know that no matter how spiritual they try to appear, that it is not from God. Have the courage to tell them to stop.
I’ve also learned thru God’s grace how to forgive and let it go. I can’t quite explain it all now, but God is stirring my heart for unity for churches in the Northeast. Not quite sure how, but this blog is a start. One of the things I’m praying about in 2008 is starting a Northeast Network.
Who else wants to answer Jesus’ prayer and see Christ followers be ONE? Who else wants to stand up and tell Christ followers to stop trashing each other? What could happen if we kept the main thing the main thing?
John 17:20-23 I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be ONE, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be ONE as we are ONE: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Buddy,
Man, you are 100% correct on this! I had lunch yesterday with a pastor of a very large church that is seeing people come to Christ like nobody’s business. He has been taking major heat from many “watchdog” blogs. I listened as he shared the awful tactics that these Christians have done to him and the church all in the name of “truth”. It breaks my heart. As we were gathering people for our launch team, I had to have several conversations with people explaining to them..”this is our vision, and we aren’t changing! If you are trying to derail our vision…move on.” For this reason, I need to continue to surround myself with Godly men that speak into my life and encourage me to keep on track and to remind me…God birthed a vision in my heart and he will be faithful to complete it!
Sign me up for the Northeast Network!
Amen, amen, amen!!!
You packed a lot of truth in that blog and it was all good.
I had a similar experience this past week. Words from a “sister” that would have been destructive had I listened to the lies. Part of me wanted to fight back or defend myself but you’re so right, it’s pointless, draining and a distraction.
Thank you for your timely words today.
I am constantly amazed at how God speaks in many ways, from many sources, the very SAME thing. The things I/we need to hear. I am SO about the “main thing being the main thing”. I have been listening to Mark B.and Ed Y. and all of you guys are on the same track. God is moving. There is a wave that is building up and it’s going to be an incredible ride.
AMEN!! God Bless you for having the courage to say the things you did and for taking the initiative to try to change things for GOD! He is the “main thing” and we all should be united in Him not divided by the church we attend.
Thanks for the words of encouragement Buddy. As a pastor of a church thats taken some criticism in the past for decision’s we’ve made, it’s nice to see other churches have taken a stand and been stronger on the other end.
I saw this stirring in you last summer after you met the man who feeds the hungry, inner-city children out of the back of a van.
We have been reading Matthew in youversion.com. Jesus’ life was about to be given over to the cross, yet He had alot of important things to say about this topic. Chapters 15 – 25 have been powerful and I encourage you to read them and see what the Lord stirs in your heart.
Love God and love your neighbors. Be “one”.
Keep up the good work!
I’m sure it can be demoralizing to hear things.
But when you do, think about how much this church has grown over the years and people that don’t go to church…know about it.
That is a question I have been asking since third grade (almost twenty-five years!! yikes!!). Why can we not all be One?? Why can we not come together?
Criticism occurs when you hit too close to home, when you challenge, and when you question the status quo. Being able to realize the source of criticism and not letting it get you off your stride or be pulled from your vision (it may take you back and cause you to pause, that is human’s being…)that is victory.
Critical Christians – What?? As has been said and proven time and time again, we are the best for of advertisement and the worst critics for Christianity.
We are all Christians, we need to start acting like it. We need to realize the enormous responsibility that we have (with great gifts, great responsibility, with greater gifts, greater responsibility). If we are all working for Christ, then we ALL need to work together, to unite. Keep the Main Thing to Main Thing.
Yea. It is awful.
When we first started life different at school, kids kept talking about it. Like it was a negative thing. But they are wrong. It is a VERY positive thing…and i let them know that! But i have to deal with this at home to. My little sister, is total against god. And lets me know it everyday. She has destroyed my bible, curses God and Christians in general. I keep trying to talk to her about it, but she won’t listen to me. Even my friends have tried.When ever i defend HIM she comes at me with fists. I keep praying she will see how AWESOME our God is. I have invited her to Northway with me, but she will not come. So i am doing the best thing i can do, which is pray about it.
Buddy,
This verse is amazing. Think about it. The Disciples and Jesus were finishing dinner. It was the night before Jesus died, and you and I are on His mind? That blows me away. He is praying not for what lies ahead of Him, but for those who would be left behind! The unity of your church is the loudest sermon you give in the Northeast.
Keep dreaming, Keep leading the way….
The Philly Connection is behind you!!
Lee
Pastor Buddy, I’m with you all the way. … “Christian” people sometimes really get to me too. Maybe I’m just a little naive, but I thought that when someone gets saved, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within them. Galatians 5:22-26 tells us about nine things that should be in our lives when we become “True” Christians. The nine “Fruits of the Spirit”. It was said that we should not judge others, but sometimes we can’t help but to be “Fruit inspectors”. I guess it’s a matter of Spirital growth. The early church had the same problems, nothing has changed. …Let’s all just keep on pressing toward the mark. We are “One in Christ”, let’s all act like it. We have a lot of work to do for the Lord. ….”And the greatest of these is LOVE” ….
Lou, couldn’t have said it better…the fruit thing is the key…by your fruit you shall know them. Not everyone that claims they are…are…even ones with a lot of knowledge..it’s the fruit of that knowledge…how they are living it out.
Lee, it’s jaw dropping! What a KING and what a LEADER we serve. What an HONOR! Fellowship and Northway are ONE…and so are the others. We just got to do it, bro!! By the way, Lee…thanks for the book…I love it and I may do a series on it. It’s rocking me!
Kaitie, God bless you…really…do you know how special you are in heaven’s eyes?!
When the Body Of Christ becomes more concerned with the “Great Commission” and less concerned with the “Great Competition” then UNITY will equal REVIVAL. God won’t ask where You went to Church, He will ask if YOU were HIS CHURCH presented to a Lost Generation.
I absolutely LOVE Pasquale’s post! It’s a short one but packed with so much to chew on. WOW!
Very well put Pasquale!
Pasquale, look forward to being with you soon…love your heart