Jim continues…
We were at the Cromwells for about two weeks. We moved into their home the Tuesday following Thanksgiving, which was December 1st. Our date for departing the Cromwells kept moving forward until December 13th became our new moving date. During our time there, we had started attending some of the home prayer groups and meeting various people. I was still meeting with Glenn, and it seemed evident that his intention was still to start a church of some kind. We had adequately discussed our beliefs and felt that there could be an agreement for the most part on the direction of a new church. Yet, Janie and I still felt we were to meld into the Olive Branch Church where we were attending and not start a new one. At this time we still had no idea of what to do concerning work or living arrangements.
The church was planning a meeting for small group leaders and for those interested in being active in church helps. Feeling this was certainly where the LORD was leading us, we decided to attend. Actually, I was doing so much serious prayer, because of our situation, that my hearing was finely tuned. The LORD began dealing with me about not being afraid to speak up at the meeting. Of course, I was terrified! Since I had only attended a couple of church services, I knew how such a thing could be viewed. “Here comes this new guy from out of town. He attends a church business meeting and stands up to give his spiritual advice concerning church problems being discussed.”
Churches should be sensitive to the Holy Spirit at all times. Whether good men stand up or evil men rise, there are lessons to be learned for all when either happens. This life on earth is not the “end game for Christians” as far as God is concerned; we are simply in school to learn from God and from those around us. If someone hides from the experiences of life, both good and bad, then that person is similar to the servant that buried his talents instead of investing them. We learn through experiences, and we must be willing to step out and take chances even if they could result in a failure. Failure to risk failing is a failure in itself. Our heavenly Father is a Mighty Warrior, and He is not afraid of the vilest situation or person on earth. In areas that we are in obedience to God we should not be in fear, but instead be sensitive to following the Holy Spirit in faith the entire time. We should always be careful when judging by dress, appearance, and worldly possessions, and as scripture says, “Lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him (God), and He will direct your path.” 1
So I attended the meeting. The leadership, small group leaders, and people interested in being active in the church were having a discussion on how to get the church more active within the body and also in the community. Many of this large group of members voiced concerns about the stagnation of God’s movement in Lawson, and the flickering flame of evangelism. Many stood at the microphone exposing the problems, showing their concern. I noticed that all of the members participating were careful in their selection of words, and all were guarded in speech. During the meeting, the Holy Spirit dealt with me concerning a word I was to share concerning their announced problem. I fought and fought, not wanting to go forward, knowing that I would be judged for the shortness of my tenure within the church and not for what I had to offer. Do I obey the LORD, or do I do what is acceptable practice? I knew I had to obey the LORD. Obedience can sometimes be a tough pill to swallow, but the Bible says, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.”2
Their main topic was the desire to form various types of groups in order to minister to different problem areas within the body, such as divorce, alcohol, drugs, etc. They were struggling to determine how to approach the seemingly difficult problem of ministering to these groups within the church. The LORD showed me that no one has to reinvent the wheel. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) had already created a format for small ministry groups. By using a proven model such as AA, every different need could be addressed, and God would bless it. Within every large body of believers there are people that have allowed the LORD to help them overcome struggles with divorce, marital problems, drugs, pornography, alcohol, and other problems that destroy individuals and families. As these church members would share their faith in a simple but organized fashion, God would be glorified, and the church would grow as it reached out in these various areas. I felt the word I was sharing was so basic and sensible that it should have only had a positive response. The church had a need in the area of small group formations, and I had a need to be in ministry. God was obviously attempting to solve both problems. However, as I stood there, with the leadership sitting behind me, I could feel the arrows passing through me. I knew that by coming forward I had transgressed man-made rules of order, regardless of what I had to say.
I found out a few days later from a man that no longer attended the church that I had better go and meet with the pastor about what I had done. The rumors had spread quickly, even to persons outside of the membership. Gulp, already off to a bad start. The news was obviously spreading quickly. My discernment had been correct! So I went off to see the pastor. This was the first of many such meetings. I received my correction, and it was what I expected. I was told that I had to wait for some time before standing up to speak to give the church a chance to check us out and other similar comments. Has the church forgotten that we are one body? I reminded the LORD that I knew what would happen if He were to have me get up and speak.
One amazing thing did come out of my going forward. Many members came up to me after the service and in the days to come to comment on how timely the word was and how they felt that the method I shared could easily work. Yet no one would approach the leadership and share with them their thoughts. What does it say when the members are afraid to approach the leadership with good ideas and honest opinions?
The die was cast. The LORD had me where He wanted me. I didn’t understand just what was to be accomplished, but I knew I had an uphill battle. We were trying to meld into the church while still trying to discern the real reason we were there as well as how long we might be staying. We still had so many loose ends, and God’s provisions were flowing ever so slowly. The fact that our situation was still unstable left a serious deficiency in our credibility. But then I also was reminded that God often sends someone that does not fit our preconceived notions or expectations in order to see if we will respond to the Spirit-led walk and not to our natural affirmations and inclinations. “Listen, my beloved brethren, has not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom, which He has promised to them that love Him? …But if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.”3