I shared a timely lesson Wednesday night in Bible study. A spirit of unity and harmony blesses Bradfordville. Every church can’t make that statement. Many churches are divided, fractured, and weak.
Unity matters to the Lord. Jesus talked about the oneness He had with the Father (John 17). David knew God’s heart, and His focus was on unity. He said, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity” (Psalm 133:1)! You and I need to pursue what God deems important.
Beyond casting vision, raising money, and constructing buildings, the Vision 20/20 process has magnified the unity and harmony of His church. Questions have been asked; opinions have been shared; and decisions have been made. Bradfordville is in a healthy place because of the harmony and unity of our fellowship.
What is contributing to the church’s oneness?
1. Relationship. We’re united in Jesus. He’s our Savior, Lord, and King. There’s a love for Jesus in our family that’s apparent and contagious.
2. Communication. Our goal is to communicate clearly and frequently with you. We desire for our church family to know the why, what, and how of ministry.
3. Trust. Trust in leadership isn’t purchased. It’s earned. I sense a healthy level of trust in our church fellowship. People do what they say. You and I can place a price tag on many things. However, I’m convinced that trust is priceless.
4. Unselfishness. The early church grew as God changed lives. People affiliated with the early church were unselfish. Therefore, it takes unselfish people to grow God’s church. Thank you for being unselfish and open to change. Always remember, the message never changes, but methods do.
5. Purpose. We’re living out God’s vision. He desires for our church to be about worship, evangelism, discipleship, fellowship, ministry, missions, and prayer. Keeping the main thing the main thing leads to harmony and unity.
6. Leadership. Many people define leadership as influence. It’s imperative for leaders to cast vision, teach truth, love people, and protect unity. A good shepherd always protects the sheep.
7. Forgiveness. As human beings, we’ll say and do things at times that hurt one another. We can’t harbor anger, bitterness, or resentment. It’s not our place to get even. God calls us to forgive as we’ve been forgiven in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).
8. Patience. One “fruit of the Spirit” is patience (Galatians 5:22-23). A healthy church is a patient church. Many churches get in trouble because they run ahead of God’s leadership and timing. Thank you for being a patient faith family.
9. Love. Our vision statement says, “Bradfordville exists to make disciples that love upward, inward, and outward.” “Lord, we love you, we love one another, and we love people in our city and beyond.” Jesus said that people will know that we’re His disciples (learners and followers) if we love one another (John 13:35).
10. Celebration. We have much to celebrate. Our church is growing spiritually and numerically. As we take future steps to follow God’s lead, let’s never fail to celebrate along the way. Our God is worthy and deserves all the glory!
Let me offer you two final thoughts. (1) May you and I never take our church’s harmony and unity for granted. (2) May you and I protect our church’s harmony and unity at all costs.
Our enemy is on the prowl. He’d love for us to crash and fail. However, I rejoice that he is a defeated foe! You and I have victory in Jesus!
He is Greater,
Pastor Ronny
1 John 4:4