11. Handle friction and disagreement in a way that honors God, which means handle it biblically (Matthew 18:15). In general, just practice the habit of “agreeing to disagree agreeably.” And remember Augustine’s rejoinder: “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; and in all things, charity.” And much more falls into the “non-essential” camp than we often admit.
12. Welcome those who come into your church with messed-up lives, screwed-up marriages, piercings, tattoos, addictions, divorce, homosexual orientation, children out of wedlock, roommates who aren’t their spouse…in other words, welcome everyone’s differences and scandals with the greater scandal of grace. Not affirmation, necessarily, but always acceptance so that they can experience that grace for themselves. It’s the Jesus way.
13. Pray, pray, pray. In 14th-century England there were holy women who placed themselves in little rooms at the base of churches and devoted themselves to prayer. They prayed for the church and its members and the extension of the Kingdom of God. These women were called by the quaint but telling name of “anchoress,” for they were spiritual anchors who held the church amid the storms of that century. Be that anchor.
All to say, if each of us are called to be the light of the world, and that light is meant to be brought together in and through the church, then perhaps we need to bring an old song back into circulation: “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
