29 March, 2024

An Inconvenient Truth?

by | 28 January, 2015 | 1 comment

By Jim Tune

I”ve heard the axiom “Love everyone, but move with the movers!” shared by speakers at leadership conferences. There”s truth in this counsel. I”ve had to encourage people to find another church when they became obtusely stuck on some element of vision or direction.

Jan28_JT_JNAt some point, I”ve had to weigh the value of giving disproportionate amounts of energy to people who refuse to change or compromise. So yeah, there”s some wisdom in moving with the movers. That said, I”m not entirely comfortable with this approach. Sometimes in order to truly love someone like Jesus did, you just have to endure them and patiently continue to serve them. It”s too easy to dismiss anyone who opposes your vision as not worth your time.

It is important to maturely discern the difference between the one who is stuck and the one who is simply an inconvenience. If we want to experience greater levels of authenticity in the church, we must be willing to create safe spaces for difficult or hurting people who are on a slower journey toward transformation. Jesus had the discernment to ask a chronically sick man if he really wanted to get well. I think Jesus was prodding the man to consider deeper questions like: Are you ready to leave behind all of the excuses? Can you handle the responsibilities that will become a regular part of your life now? Or do you really prefer to stay stuck?

On the other hand, Jesus always had time for people who wanted to get unstuck””even the slow to learn or change. Jesus was available in ways that created radical change in people”s lives. He gave them space to be honest about their pain and suffering. His was a ministry of inconvenient interruptions. Jesus walked toward those in pain instead of running the other way.

I regret that I have, on occasion, brushed off people who were simply too slow to run with the pace of my vision. Real ministry happens when we cultivate communities for people to grow, change, and heal. This always requires practice. I am trying to become more willing to engage with people who rub me the wrong way. I need to rub up against my own judgmental tendencies, fears, selfishness, and woundedness.

Safety doesn”t mean anything goes. It is about long-haul relationships where we are willing to accept others” flaws and weaknesses because we are radically aware of our own. Spiritual transformation takes time and looks different for every person. It requires that we be willing to slow down, engage in healthy conflict, and have the ability to stay in relationships when the going gets tough.

For a driven, goal-oriented, fast-moving church planter like me, this level of long-term and slow engagement can be frustrating. But Jesus hasn”t called me to be driven, or to drive people. He has called me to love them.

1 Comment

  1. Sandymae

    Thanks Jim for a well thought out assessment. Sometimes it is so easy to forget our own flaws when we are so busy tearing down others for their flaws. May God help us to listen twice as much as we talk – for after all, He gave us two ears for a reason, and may we remember what Jesus said was the two greatest commandments – Love God with all our heart, all our soul and all our mind and love our neighbours as ourselves.

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Articles

Ministry Help Wanted

Recent postings: Impact Christian Church (Moon Township, Pa.) is seeking an executive pastor. The Christian Campus Foundation (CCF) at the University of Illinois is seeking a full-time director of campus ministry. New Brighton (Minn.) Christian Church needs a new senior minister. Summit Christian College (Gering, Neb.) is accepting applications for the position of academic dean. And more . . .

Stories

By taking these symbols of Jesus’ body and blood, we announce we believe there really was a Jesus, and he really did die for us and carried all our sins down to a grave . . .

Documentary Highlights Christian Response to Pandemics

Southeast Christian Church’s “Purpose in Pandemics” is a documentary that follows the response of the church to pandemics throughout history. The “Purpose in Pandemics” website also includes a study guide for small groups and individuals.

Used of God

I soaked up Sam Stone’s wit and wisdom during our lunches together. Afterward, I’d take notes about our conversations. After hearing of his passing, inspired by his wordsmithing, I felt compelled to share just a small part of his story.

Sam E. Stone: ‘He Tried to Speak the Truth in Love’

In memory and appreciation of our former editor, Sam E. Stone, who died early this week, we share this 2011 column from Christian Standard’s archives in which Sam discussed four Scripture verses significant to his life.

Elliott Library ‘Cornerstone’ Laid

Three Bibles of historical significance to Cincinnati Christian University were the first books place on the shelves during relocation of the George Mark Elliott Library.

The Death of Evil

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. saw in minority groups’ struggles for social equality in America a parallel with Israel’s bondage in Egypt. King envisioned God’s goodness would deliver the U.S. from the evil of segregation.

Mark Scott’s Greatest Kingdom Impact

Since I first enrolled at Ozark Christian College, Mark Scott has been my kingdom hero, and I’m not the only young preacher Mark has shaped. Over his 35 years at OCC, Mark has inspired generations of students.

‘Have We Plans for 1921?’

“All the Standard asks is the opportunity to serve, and it yearns to render in 1921 the greatest, finest, and best service of its history. . . .”

News Briefs for Dec. 9

Items from Timber Lake Christian Church (Moberly, Mo.), Choateville Christian Church (Frankfort, Ky.), Johnson University, and more.

My Counsel for Young Preachers

If I were counseling an aspiring young preacher fresh out of Bible college or seminary, champing at the bit to lead in the church, I would offer these three bits of advice.

My Memories of Marshall Leggett

By Ben Merold
As I think about Marshall Leggett, who passed away on March 2 at age 90, two personal experiences keep coming to my mind . . .

Powell Quintuplets Graduating from High School

When the Powell quintuplets were born in 2001, all of Kentucky celebrated, including Southeast Christian Church, where the Powells are longtime members. Now the quints are 18 and are all headed to the same university.

Reentry: It May Be Harder Than We Think

When the COVID-19 crisis eases, I anticipate that reentry is going to be harder than some people think. Churches, especially, need to prepare for this.

THROWBACK THURSDAY: ‘Easter Church Attendance’ (1949)

“This Lord’s Day will find nearly all the churches having the largest crowds of the year,” editor Burris Butler wrote in 1949. “It has become almost proverbial that many people attend church on Easter Sunday who never come at any other time” . . .

News Briefs for March 27

Ozark Christian College has updated their logo. Also, briefs from Harlan (Ky.) Christian Church, Summit Christian College, and the Common Grounds Unity Podcast.

The Best Sermon I Never Heard

“Can I tell you about the best sermon I never heard?” Matt Proctor asked the crowd at ICOM last November. “If I could time travel just once . . . I would go back to Luke 24. On that very first Easter Sunday . . . the resurrected Jesus is walking on the road to Emmaus, talking with two travelers. . . .”

KCU Announces Agreements with LBC, NEOBC

Kentucky Christian University has announced separate agreements to enable those who have earned a bachelor’s degree from Louisville Bible College or Northeast Ohio Bible College to seamlessly transition into the graduate programs offered by KCU’s Keeran School of Bible and Ministry. . . .

Follow Us