Dealing with Divisions by Giving Thanks

On Sunday I preached about how to deal with divisions. You can hear the message by clicking here. The apostle Paul began his letter to the people of Corinth with giving thanks. 1Corinthians 1:4 says, "I always thank my God for you and for the gracious gifts he has given you, now that you belong to Christ Jesus".

With this week being Thanksgiving, I thought of another way we can deal with divisions and that is to focus on being thankful. Try it. When you are in a bad attitude or are tempted to be critical toward someone, stop and thank God for them. Recognize that even though they don't see it your way, God has still created them in His image, too. Yet, we are not all the same. Think how boring life would be if we were all the same. By focusing on giving thanks, it will change our attitude. It will help us to elevate the conversation to see what's really important.

Here's a short list of who/what I'm thankful for:

1. A Savior who came at just the right time and died for me while I was still a sinner.
2. A loving, patient, and supportive spouse.
3. A son who is growing into a godly man.
4. A daughter who is as beautiful and caring as her mother.
5. A church where the Spirit of God is at work.
6. A leadership team of Elders who are prayerful, supportive, and serve with humility.
7. A community of faith that truly cares for one another in so many ways.

Bridging the Gap Between Pastors and Business Leaders

 There seems to be something going on in the Mennonite church—and I like it. Pastors and Business Leaders are talking. I have a great passion for these two groups to connect. I believe the real work of ministry doesn’t just happen on Sunday. It takes place Monday through Friday when Christian businesspeople have opportunity to interact with their co-workers, customers, and community. It’s been said that “Church begins on Monday” so how can the church empower and better equip those to do the work of ministry? (See Ephesians 4:12). Both pastors and business leaders need to recognize that we are in the same business – the “people business.” You can read my complete article by clicking here

An Event to Remember

It was an historic event. No, I'm not talking about the election. I'm talking about our first-ever Election Day Communion Service last night. What a powerful reminder that amidst all of the divided political noise, we could gather in reverence, silence and unity while fellowshipping at the Lord's table.

Last night, as the world turned its attention to who would occupy the most powerful office in this world, hundreds of churches gathered across the United States to worship a servant.
As votes were counted to elect a president, thousands of Christians took the bread and the cup to remember their crucified Lord.

As winners were projected and the electoral map updated, Christians of many denominations sang their praises and proclaimed their loyalty to Jesus.

The Election Day Communion Campaign was started out of a concern that Christians in the United States are being shaped more by the tactics and ideologies of political parties than by our identity and unity in Christ. The practice of Communion is an inherently political act. It is both a pledge of allegiance to Jesus and a declaration of independence from all other powers making claims on our bodies, minds and souls. Too often the church has abandoned its first love for political parties promising protection, prosperity and peace.

 

May we continue to vote each and every day for Jesus in the ways we live, think, act, and serve.

(excerpts from Mark Schloneger - pastor of North Goshen Mennonite Church in Goshen, Indiana.
Special to CNN)