The Family of God

Last night I sat in the home of a couple in conflict with their church for several years. In this case, being in the family has proven difficult for both sides.

In The Peacemaking Pastor, Alfred observes that peacemaking is a challenge because the church experiences the same disunity and dysfunctions as our families. He also notes the following:

"Biblical peacemaking will only become firmly rooted in the church when we recover the meaning and practice of the church as the family of God" (Alfred Poirier, The Peacemaking Pastor, 91).

As I drove home last night and reflected upon this mediation effort still in its early stages, I could not help but think of what the metaphor of church as family brings to peacemaking efforts.

When I experience conflict with another member of my family, we have no other choice than to work it out. There is no running from the problem.

Alfred also explores the various family metaphors related to the church and what happens when we view church in this manner. When we see the church as a family, the people are no longer merely members, but brothers and sisters in the truest sense of the word. Therefore, we treat them differently.

As a result, Alfred notes: "we can begin to seek genuine peace when we learn to regard our people as our brothers and sisters in the Lord." (Pg. 105)

I pray that God will give birth to a deeper sense of community among and within our churches where a true sense of family is developed and peacemaking becomes a way of life.

What a powerful apologetic!

~ Jim

Ministry of Reconciliation

While reading The Peacemaking Pastor this weekend, I was struck by one paragraph. Here is the quote:

"A ministry of reconciliation is not an appendage to real ministry. Peacemaking is not one skill among many that pastors keep in their ministry toolbox. Peacemaking is the embodiment fo pastoral ministry even as Christ is the embodiment (incarnation) of the God of peace. By word and by deed, every moment of a pastor's life is a moment wherein we call others to be reconciled to God. And every word we preach or counsel ought to be the Word (John 1:1) that is full of grace and truth - the Word of peace" (Alfred Poirier, The Peacemaking Pastor, 87).

To this I say a hearty amen! However, I also realize how difficult it is to pursue a ministry of reconciliation. When everyone desires the glory of God, then this has potential.

But, we all know that the glory of God is often far from our hearts, and it is the last thing we think about in our relational struggles.

Therefore, I believe a ministry of reconciliation includes modeling peacemaking in our personal lives. And, we must be willing to persevere at all costs. Only then will our congregations and the world be convinced that we truly desire a culture of peace be a reality in our churches, marriages and families.

~ Jim