WHEN YOU'RE READY TO SPLIT

DAY 153: Only two times in all the years I have been speaking at churches have I had a cancellation. Once was a summer event that was cancelled because of an extreme heatwave that hit the California area where the hosting church was located.  The planner felt sure that attendance would suffer at the "Christmas in July" event as the temperature topped 115 degrees.  They rescheduled. The other group did not reschedule after their planner called to say they would not be hosting an event because the congregation was going through a contentious church split.Things were definitely heating up there, too.

Church splits are no laughing matter, but I laughed anyway when I recently read this news post that is all too close to home for many Christian congregations.

Centerville, Ga - The small community of Centerville has a population of just over 5000 people, but with a total of 48 Presbyterian Churches. The high number of churches has to do with multiple splits that have taken place over the years because of one issue or another.  Originally, in 1899, only one Presbyterian church existed, simply known as "Centerville Presbyterian Church" with about 20 families. 

By 1911 the church had grown to almost 150 members, a considerably large church at that time. But a dispute arose within the congregation over whether or not the offering should be taken before or after the sermon.  Thus the first split took place, with the dissenting congregation forming "Centerville Reformed Presbyterian Church."

In 1915 some members of CRPC liked the idea of having flowers in the sanctuary, while others objected.  As a result CRPC split and Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church of Centerville was organized with 25 members.

Several more splits took place between 1915 and 1929.  In 1931 another dispute arose amongst the members of Seventh Presbyterian Reformed Covenantal Church of Centerville over an issue that no one can seem to remember. . . approximately half the congregation split away, and 9 people formed Third Westminster Trinity Covenant Presbyterian Reformed Church of Centerville.

Again, more splits took place between 1931 and 1975 when a major split took place within the PCUS denomination over the issue of merging with the more liberal PCUSA.  At that time Eleventh Westminster Covenant Presbyterian Church of Centerville voted to remain in the PCUS with the merger.  Fifteen members broke off and formed St. John's Presbyterian Church. One week later, St. John's Presbyterian Church split over the choice of name for the church as several members objected to using the word "Saint" in the name of a Reformed Church.

Since 1975 several more splits have happened with the most recent occurring this past weekend, when a dispute arose amongst the members of Second Street First Ninth Westminster Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church over the. . . question of whether or not it was acceptable for someone to check their email on the Sabbath.  Those who objected split off and have formed "The Presbyterian Totally Reformed Covenantal Westminsterian Sabbatarian Regulative Credo-Communionist A Millennial Presuppositional Church of Centerville with 6 members.

"I think we've finally got it right now" said Paul Davis, teaching Elder at PTRCWSRCCAPCC.  "We now have a church with 100% doctrinal purity."

PTRCWSRCCAPCC is hoping to grow and help reach out to the community.

(Source: timinthebox blog)

Given enough time, that small town of 5000 may have 5000 churches with 1 member each. 

The natural inclination for people seems to be to divide, not unite.  We see it in every sector of society from churches, to politics, to marriage to the best rock bands.  And all splits have one thing in common: the primary focus becomes the differences rather than agreements.  If churches want to avoid the same fate as the Beatles, then taking a lesson from King David from today's passage would be a great start.

Newly crowned the King and eager to lead the people in obedience to God, David tries again to bring the Ark of the Lord to the capital city.  He confesses that last time they "failed to ask God how to move it in the proper way" and God's anger burned against them.  This time, David sought out God's Word.

1 Chron 15 from 15- 27 Then the Levites carried the Ark of God on their shoulders with its carrying poles., just as the Lord had instructed Moses.  David also ordered the Levite leaders to appoint a choir... to sing joyful songs to the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. ..David dressed in a robe of fine linen as were the Levites who carried the Ark, the singers and Kenaniah the song leader.

David had called the people to unity around obedience to God.  It was a remarkable celebration with songs and instruments. And you guessed it, where there are people of faith and music there is trouble.

²⁹ But as the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul (David's wife) looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him.

Michal clearly did not approve of the way David worshipped.  Perhaps the music was too loud. Perhaps his dancing was too energetic.  Perhaps she just didn't like her husband.  Whichever it was, Michal missed the blessing of worship because she was not focused on the object of worship: God.

David did not want anyone to make that mistake.  In this celebration of God, David set an example of how to keep worship unified; it is an example that is still relevant today.

 ^{1 Chron 16:4} David appointed the following Levites to lead the people in worship before the Ark of the Lord—by asking for His blessings, giving thanks, and giving praise to the Lord, the God of Israel. . . And all the people shouted "Amen!" and praised the Lord.

Three things were involved in leading the people in worship: 

• asking for God's blessing, 
• giving thanks to God, 
• and giving praise to God.  

The focus was God.  They did this with songs, trumpets, lyres, dancing, and shouts of "Amen!"  I feel confident not every one assembled liked trumpets, which are very loud.  Not everyone liked the song David wrote - it was kind of old fashioned. I am positive that the toe tappers standing by the leaping dancers were a little uncomfortable. If everyone had focused on those things, like Micah did, no worship would have happened because worship can ONLY happen when our focus is on God.  When we focus on each other, or external factors, worship ceases and DIVISIONS BEGIN.
There is a time and a place to work through legitimate concerns within the church;  but no matter what the concern or the difference, if we work through them with our focus on worshiping God first and foremost, there would certainly be fewer splits and more shouts of "Amen!" I can't say I know exactly how to do that other than to imagine God in the room when differences do arise and work through them focused on Him as if you are in His very presence - because you are.  

SIDE NOTE: It seems that a principle that is good enough for God ought to be good enough when we find ourselves dividing in other areas.  Whether in our home or workplaces or friendships, perhaps beginning by remembering what we have in common rather than dwelling on the places we differ would be the start of God-honoring reconciliation. It's worth a try, don't you think. 

 

Day 153 of 365
1 Chronicles 15
1 Chronicles 16:1-36
Romans 1:18-32
Psalm 10:1-15
Proverbs 19:6-7