Expert: Mrs. Priscilla Lyons - 7/15/2003

Question
Mrs. Lyons,
I have a problem---my church is splitting.  It is not obvious.  Many members are not aware of the problems.  I was made aware of them on the Missions Giving Committee.  We can't agree on where to send our missions money.  Also, the financial committee will not publish the individual salaries of the pastors to the congregation.  There are many members who are moderate and even liberal in their interpretation of the Bible.  Even the pastor leans this way.  He preaches on God's grace and faithfulness, but not the other side of God's character, that He hates sin and that worldliness is enmity with Him.  We are not encouraged to confess our sins, either.  By the standards of my Christian upbringing, they were arrogant.  Anyway, some of us members meet to pray for our church and the pastor. However, I wondered if this is the right thing to do.  About 900 members have left and joined other churches since 1992, but the majority have left the past two years.  I've never been in this situation before. Should we stay and pray?  Your thoughts on this will be appreciated.  Lauri Jones  

Answer
Dear Lauri,
   It seems the liberal/conservative friction affects so much of our lives now.  The way liberals often call themselves moderate indicates the way Satan eases people away from the truth--just a gradual, veering off toward the world's point of view.  They like to think conservatives have moved to an extreme position when we've just stayed with the truth--it is they who have moved away from it.  If you can stay and influence the church to return to proclaiming the whole truth of God and encourage the church leaders to have the integrity to be open and above board with salaries, it would seem worthwhile.  But you might not want to encourage new Christians to come to your church.  
   There may not be another church in your area that you feel you could go to, so that might influence your decision.  You might want to consider the alternatives as you pray.  God will surely impress your mind concerning another church or staying.  Whether you leave or not, I would think your meeting to pray for your church and pastor is helpful.  
   No matter what happens, it won't be easy.  Romans 12 and I Cor. 12 speak about the church as the body of Christ, and it seems there was difficulty with getting along with fellow Christians even back then.  We don't want to "major on the minors," but when it comes to twisting the main theme of God's Word that sin separates us from God, we can't ignore the major danger of sin--we can't hold back God's warnings.  Ezekiel 33 shows us that God does want us to warn others or their "blood" is on us.
   I'm so thankful you have discernment to recognize when God's true character is being subverted.  I hope you will be able to help others live by God's truth preserved in His Word at such a high cost to so many down through the ages.   
   May the Lord give you peace in dealing with your church, whether you stay or leave.  
   Love,
   Priscilla Lyons