Church Agenda

I have heard the same story over and over again through the years. It happens in churches of all sizes, locations, and denominations. Some pastor, group of people, or church leader get an agenda and work to see that agenda fulfilled. It does not matter if people get hurt in the process. The agenda is all the consuming passion. The agenda is pursued with reckless abandon. In the wake of such people are strewn divided churches, hurt people, lack of forgiveness, and a bewildered community who watches and hears it all unfold.

I heard about two more such groups in two different churches this week. Different locations but the same story. People with a church agenda thinking they knew best caused much harm.

There should only be one person who carries out a personal agenda in the church. His name is Jesus. He alone is the head of the church. [Eph 5:23] The church is His bride. He loves the local church. He alone has the right to sit at the head of the table. He alone has the right to determine direction. He is the ultimate authority. His agenda is the only agenda that matters.

In many churches there are people who have been members longer than I have been alive. They have given much money and much service. They believe the local church is THEIR church. They try to control it even if it means manipulation. But hear this. THE CHURCH BELONGS TO JESUS ALONE. IT IS NOT THE PERSONAL PROPERTY OF ANY PERSON. I DON'T CARE HOW LONG PEOPLE HAVE BEEN MEMBERS, WHAT THEIR LEADERSHIP TITLE MIGHT BE, OR HOW MJCH MONEY THEY HAVE GIVEN. THEY NEED TO GET THEIR HANDS OFF IT AND IN REPENTANCE SUBMIT TO CHRIST!

Strong words. Yet needed. I have never shied away from preaching or writing the hard truth. How many more churches have to be destroyed because people have their own church agenda and do not submit to the Headship of Jesus.

In a perfect world churches would remain unified if congregations would just sit at the feet of Jesus, listen to Him, and follow His instructions without personal church agendas. I have seen and experienced this on occasion. It is beautiful. Truly did the Psalmist write Psalm 133:1 (NASB) 
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 Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!