{"id":1198,"date":"2010-07-28T01:35:03","date_gmt":"2010-07-28T01:35:03","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.beliefnet.com\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/being-peacemakers-in-church-part-1.html"},"modified":"2010-07-28T01:35:03","modified_gmt":"2010-07-28T01:35:03","slug":"being-peacemakers-in-church-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/2010\/07\/being-peacemakers-in-church-part-1.html","title":{"rendered":"Being Peacemakers in Church, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jesus said it bluntly: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Time and again the rest of the New Testament echoes his high regard for peacemaking:<\/p>\n

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Rom 14:19; NIV).
Bind yourselves together with peace (Eph 4:3).
Try to live in peace with everyone (Heb 12:14).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Each of these passages sets peacemaking within the context of Christian community. We seek to live in peace as part of our fellowship together.<\/p>\n

Martin Luther was correct. The Church of Jesus Christ is indeed a mighty fortress, against which the gates of Hell cannot prevail. But individual Christian communities are sometimes quite fragile. Frequently, they shatter because members seek their own good, rather than the benefit of the community as a whole. The sow seeds of division by their selfishness. But, you and I are called to be peacemakers within our churches, to preserve the unity and seek the wholeness of Christian community. Paul’s instruction quoted above, “bind yourselves together with peace,” falls within a broader exhortation to church unity:<\/p>\n

Be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Always keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future (Eph 4:2-4).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We are to make peace among our brothers and sisters in Christ because we are one body together, united by the one Spirit.<\/p>\n

How can you be a peacemaker in your church? Note carefully Paul’s wise counsel. First, “be humble and gentle” (Eph 4:2). Don’t think too highly of yourself, but consider others better than yourself (Phil 2:3). If you have a complaint or criticism, communicate it with humility, realizing that you could be wrong. And in all interactions, treat people with gentleness, remembering that they are precious to God.<\/p>\n

Second, you can make peace within your fellowship by being “patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love” (Eph 4:2). This call to patience implies that those around you will frustrate you with their slowness. They won’t repent quickly enough. They won’t serve actively enough. They will pray too long or not pray enough. Yet you must put up with their faults and weaknesses, even as they must put up with yours, thank God! It is certainly right to confront a brother or sister who sins. But patience is necessarily for all the little things others do that aren’t sinful, but just bothersome.<\/p>\n

\"Jack-Davis-MDR-3.jpg\"<\/span>When I read verse 2 with its call to humility, gentleness, and patience, I immediately think of one of the founding members of Irvine Presbyterian Church, a man named Jack. Jack was on the search committee that called me as pastor, as he had been on the first committee that called Ben Patterson, the founding pastor of the church. Jack had retired after a successful business career. He was the most respected and beloved man among church members – a well-deserved honor. When I arrived at the church, I quickly noted that Jack also had a room named after him, the only room in the church named after any person, living or dead. It was apparent to me that Jack had great power within Irvine Presbyterian Church. (Photo: Jack and me quite a few years ago, when I had a lot of hair.) <\/p>\n

Jack could have used his power to dominate me, but he never chose to do so. Instead, he always used his power in a Christ-like manner. He was a strong, outspoken supporter of my ministry.<\/p>\n

As is natural, however, at times he believed that my leadership was lacking or misdirected. Jack would make an appointment to see me. After affirming my ministry and reassuring me of God’s call to be pastor of the church, he would tell me what was bugging him. Every single time he did this with humility, gentleness, and patience. Jack could have wielded his power to coerce my agreement. But he never even tried to do it. He could have wounded my spirit by pointing to his superior wisdom. He never did that. He could have said that he was sick and tired of trying to help young pastors grow up. But he never said anything like that. When Jack and I finished our meetings, I always felt encouraged. In Jack’s woodshed there weren’t any switches, just abundant peace and lots of wisdom.<\/p>\n

In my next post I want to say a little more about being a peacemaker in church.<\/p>\n

\n

This post is part of a series: Seeking the Peace of Christ: Peacemaking and Christianity<\/i><\/a>. You can read or link to the series by clicking on the series title.<\/p>\n

\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Jesus said it bluntly: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matt 5:9). Time and again the rest of the New Testament echoes his high regard for peacemaking: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification (Rom 14:19; NIV).Bind yourselves together with…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":214,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[186],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1198","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-christianity-and-peacemaking"],"yoast_head":"\nBeing Peacemakers in Church, Part 1 - Mark D. 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Roberts","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-content\/wphb-cache\/gravatar\/f2d\/f2ddf5f080861f66ea230384f9d1bab2x96.jpg","caption":"Mark D. Roberts"},"description":"The Rev. Dr. Mark D. Roberts is a pastor, author, retreat leader, speaker, and blogger. Since October 2007 he has been the Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence for Laity Lodge, a multifaceted ministry in the Hill Country of Texas. Before coming to Laity Lodge, he was for sixteen years the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Irvine, California (a city in Orange County about forty miles south of Los Angeles). Before his time at Irvine Pres, Mark served on the staff of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as Associate Pastor of Education. (Thanks to Janel Pahl for taking the photo to the right.) Mark studied at Harvard University, receiving a B.A. in Philosophy, an M.A. in the Study of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament and Christian Origins. He has taught classes in New Testament for Fuller Theological Seminary and San Francisco Theological Seminary. Mark has written several books, including No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer (WaterBrook, 2005), Dare to Be True (WaterBrook, 2003), Jesus Revealed (WaterBrook, 2002), After \"I Believe\" (Baker, 2002), and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther (Word, 1993). His most recent book is Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John (Crossway, 2007). He is currently working on a commentary on Ephesians that will be published by Zondervan in 2014. Mark writes a devotional for The High Calling of Our Daily Work, a website associated with Laity Lodge. His \"Daily Reflections\" can be viewed online or sent as a daily email. If you wish to receive this email, just visit TheHighCalling.org and sign up. Mark serves on the editorial board of Worship Leader magazine, where he publishes articles and reviews, including his regular column \"Lyrical Poetry.\" Additionally, he has published dozens of articles in leading magazines and journals. He often speaks for churches and other Christian groups, and has been interviewed on over seventy-five radio programs nationwide. Mark is married to Linda, who is a Marriage and Family Therapist, a Spiritual Director, and a retreat speaker. They have two children, Nathan and Kara.For Publicity Photos and Bio Statements for Mark, please check here. Mark's Dossier Professional History: Senior Director and Scholar-in Residence, Laity Lodge, October 2007 to present. Senior Pastor Irvine Presbyterian Church, June 1991 to September 2007 Adjunct Assistant Professor Fuller Theological Seminary, 1994 to 2007. Courses: New Testament Theology and Exegesis. Adjunct Instructor San Francisco Theological Seminary, 1995 to 2001. Courses: New Testament Greek and Exegesis Associate Pastor of Education First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood, 1987-1991 Teaching Fellow Harvard University, 1980-1983 Education: Ph.D. in the Study of Religion. Harvard University, 1992. Area: New Testament and Christian Origins M.A. in the Study of Religion Harvard University, 1984. A.B. magna cum laude in Philosophy Harvard University, 1979. Phi Beta Kappa; Danforth Fellowship Books: Can We Trust the Gospels? Investigating the Reliability of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Crossway, 2007 No Holds Barred: Wrestling with God in Prayer. WaterBrook, 2005 Dare to Be True: Living in the Freedom of Complete Honesty. WaterBrook, 2003. Jesus Revealed: Know Him Better to Love Him Better. WaterBrook, 2002. After \"I Believe\": Experiencing Authentic Christian Living. Baker, 2002. Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther in the Communicator's Commentary Series. Word, 1993. Contacting Mark: You can reach Mark at: E-mail: mark@markdroberts.com mroberts@laitylodge.org Phone: Laity Lodge: (830) 792-1216 Address: Laity Lodge 719 Earl Garrett Kerrville, TX 78028","url":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/author\/mroberts"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1198","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/214"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1198"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1198\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1198"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1198"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/markdroberts\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1198"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}