The Problem of Church Politics
A few years ago at Eastridge, we did a sermon series called “I Don’t Like Church,” where we looked at the things that serve as stumbling blocks for people when it comes to church. We talked about topics like how the church can be difficult to understand, how church people often don’t walk the talk, and how too many churches seem to only be after money.
But I’ve recently thought about another feature of church that can drive people away: politics. I’m not talking about left vs. right; I’m talking about the internal politics that can divide people and make the church look like a less than desirable Bride of Christ.
I’m currently reading the book Renewal for Mission, which is a short history of the Stone-Campbell Movement, a non-denominational movement that eventually birthed several quasi-denominations, including the Christian Church, Churches of Christ, and the Disciples of Christ. It’s also a large part of my faith heritage, since I grew up in the Christian Church.
The Stone-Campbell Movement had its roots in part in a desire for Christian unity, yet the movement saw its share of splits over the years, hence the different church names. The non-denomination split over issues like the Civil War and Reconstruction, instruments in church worship, and doctrinal liberalism, among other points of contention over the years.
The church I grew up in had its share of splits — at least three that I can recall in the 10 years my family was a member. The congregation would divide over worship style, speaking in tongues, or whether the pastor should submit sermon outlines to the elders. It was a split in the church that led several families, including my own, to start what is now Eastridge Church.
My friend Steve Berman recently wrote about how church politics played a role in his early life as a believer in Jesus, and in some ways his story is typical of many believers. There’s no telling how many Christians have turned from the faith or from connecting with a church over internal church politics.
Take a look at what’s happening in the Southern Baptist Convention right now. There’s disunity over some major issues that leadership has let go on too long, and it has led to the departure of some key figures in the denomination.
Some churches have split over major issues, while others have split over miniscule disputes. Yet we as believers are called not to stand our ground on every minor detail, but to be unified.
Jesus prayed for the unity of believers:
I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.
John 17:20-21 (ESV)
He also told His disciples, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35, ESV).
Yes, we should stand firm on essential matters of doctrine. Yes, we should stamp out heresy and bad theology whenever and wherever we see it. Yes, we should practice church discipline. But these should all be done in a spirit which brings glory to God.
Churches shouldn’t split over minor matters or personality clashes. In fact, disputes over small issues should happen quietly and be handled with the intention of healing, restoration, and unity. We’re supposed to be a beautiful Bride of Christ, and we too often look like an ugly harpy that nobody wants to be around.
When people see the Church as a whole or look at individual congregations, they should see unity. It’s a shame that too many people don’t. Our churches should seek to change that.
Photo by Joshua Eckstein on Unsplash