I’ve looked at churches for years and had the opportunity to see how they work and how they don’t work.
Unfortunately, many churches don’t work.
So many churches have great potential. They live in the midst of a growing population. They have an excellent location, where people can get to the building easily. They often have great preachers who are able to effectively communicate the Word of God.
But something doesn’t work.
I think it’s this: People are more concerned with how they are treated than how they treat others.
This is a sure recipe for disappointment, frustration, and anger.
As long as we are concerned with how we are treated, we will always be disappointed. Someone will say something that sets us off. Most of the time the other person didn’t mean to harm us at all.
Sometimes people just say “dumb” things. I certainly have. You probably have as well.
Churches that are concerned with how they feel, how they are treated, and what someone says will never fulfill its potential in making a lasting contribution to the kingdom of God.
The one thing you can do to help your church is to “Be more concerned with how you treat others than how you are treated.”
That attitude changes everything. It changes how you notice newcomers. It makes you apologize when you say something “dumb.” It makes you care about the needs of the other person.
Paul talked about a church like this. He described Timothy, his young protégé, in this way: “I have no one like him, who will be genuinely anxious for your welfare. They all look after their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:20–21).
Every church needs a lot of someones like Timothy, people who will genuinely care about the interests and needs of other people.
The one thing you can do to help your church is to be more concerned with how you treat others than you are of how you are treated.
This perfectly reflects what Jesus taught us: “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Luke 6:31).
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2 Responses
I agree. A church is only as good as it’s members. Mature Christians tend to have an attitude of caring for others before themselves. That’s why it is so important for the church to always be in a state of growth and maturing. Newer Christians need the guidance of their more mature mentors as well as church programs to encourage their growth, such as ABF classes in all age groups, group prayer, social activities, community and outside missionary work and all the things that make up a well rounded and faithful church that works. Such are the reasons I love FBC Covington so much.
Boom! Right on target, as usual, Doc. We should always think more highly of other than ourselves. Blessings from Wyoming.