How to Make Peace in a Church

Jerry Seinfeld had a great line, “People–they’re the worst!”

I would modify it, “Christians–they’re the worst!”

Ever feel that way?  Man I have.

One Sunday morning, when I was pastoring, after the last worship service a woman with her husband in tow cornered me in my office.

As she sat down uninvited she said, “I have a problem with your spirituality.”

“Ok,” I responded.

“Dori is moving next Saturday and we’re signing people up to help her.  I noticed you hadn’t signed up.”

“That’s because I’m planning on spending Saturday with my family.”

“Well that’s not very spiritual,” she responded.  “Scripture says we should take care of widows and orphans.”

“But she’s not a widow.  She’s divorced.”

“It’s the same thing so you’re not very spiritual.”

I thought, “Lady if you only knew half the things that pop into my mind this would seem tame.  In fact if you knew what I was thinking right now you’d be shocked.  But I’m saved by God’s grace.  I no longer have to follow laws to earn his love.  He has blessed me far in excess of what I deserve.”

But I said, “I don’t see it that way and my family needs me next Saturday.”

She left in a huff threatening to leave the church.

I left in peace and enjoyed the rest of my day.

She eventually left the church with no one saying goodbye.

A few years later when I left friends hugged me and wept.

Paul writes, “He abolished the Jewish Law with its commandments and rules, in order to create out of the two races one new people in union with himself, in this way making peace.”  (Ephesians 2:15 GNT)

We have peace with God by his grace.  We have peace with each other as we remember our peace with God.

Have you ever had a similar situation?