By Jeff Faull
WE WANT TO BE . . . WHERE TRUTH & LOVE MEET
The psalmist articulated the union of truth and love beautifully: “Lovingkindness and truth have met together: Righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10, New American Standard Bible).
The union of truth and love has too often been presented as a simple balance or a mixture: for example, “She’s a little too high on the truth scale,” or conversely, “She puts too much emphasis on love.” However, you can’t have too much love, and you can’t have too much truth. Truth doesn’t need a little falsehood to soften it, nor does love need a little hate to toughen it.
Truth and love are not opposites. They are not mutually exclusive. You can apply or demonstrate either of them incorrectly. Certain demonstrations of love or truth aren’t appropriate for the time and place, but there is never too much of either. Both are eternal.
Both are the essence of God. Both are an integral part to the other’s definition. When we speak the truth in love, we are the most faithful to our own plea. Let there be no doubt that learning the union of truth and love is at the heart of restoration.
WHERE AUTONOMY & ACCOUNTABILITY COOPERATE
One of the most beneficial characteristics of our DNA is congregational autonomy. We employ a plurality of local leaders who guide, shepherd, and strategize in faithfulness to the charge given them by God. No outside interference or mandatory, man-made, external structures and controls should hinder our quest. However, that great design can be corrupted when isolation and insulation become the standard way of operating. When congregations and leaders network, fellowship, and learn from each other’s successes and failures, and when we cooperate for kingdom advances, an environment for true restoration of New Testament Christianity can occur.
WHERE ANCIENT PATHS & PRESENT CULTURE ENGAGE CORRECTLY
The “ancient paths” mentality of Jeremiah 6:16 remains a foundation for Restoration principles. Jeremiah wrote, “Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.” When we insist that the eternal wisdom and plan of God is never archaic or outdated, and yet we fearlessly engage with the realities of our contemporary society, we can find optimum relevance and effectiveness in engaging our culture. When those two worlds are bridged, without compromise, the church shines.
WHERE THEOLOGY & MISSION MERGE
We tend to think of purists and pragmatists as inhabiting opposite ends of the spectrum. That can be an accurate assessment. But the real restoration of New Testament Christianity begins with the realization that ministry and mission are the outworking of our theology. From the Greatest Commandment to the Great Confession to the Great Commission, our professions and practices must align and be consistent to help us become the great congregations God intended.
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These are wise words from Jeff Faull! At The Solomon Foundation, We value independence because it boosts our confidence, makes us less reliant on others, reduces our stress, promotes our happiness, gives us freedom, provides a sense of accomplishment, helps us make better decisions, promotes personal improvement, boosts creativity, broadens our horizons, and builds our self-esteem. It’s a good thing!
But while independence is a good thing, it’s not the only thing. There is such a thing as healthy dependence. A good marriage or family illustrates that. We complete each other by having strength where the other might be weak. It lightens our load, we learn more, collaboration increases our effectiveness, it improves our relationships. We don’t have to be alone! It’s a good thing!
What is true for us individually is also true for a church. Independence is a good thing. Imagine being forced to go to a church that was teaching and promoting serious things that you didn’t agree with. Imagine being in a church that wasn’t allowed to teach what it felt was critical and true because you were not allowed to. Imagine being forbidden to establish such a church or gather with likeminded people. In much of the world this is not a matter of imagination. Inside of many denominations, it can feel the same way. A local church has a very different view from the denominational hierarchy but is prevented from exercising that belief. An independent church doesn’t contend with those things. Being independent is a good thing!
But should it be only independent? Where is the love in that? Where is the accountability? Where is the connection with culture? Where is the mission? Just like people, we need healthy dependence in the church as well. It’s critical to our success. Without it, we can grow inward and cold to the outside world, making sure we take care of our own but no one else. We can get isolated from our culture, no longer able to communicate and impact others. We can lose our humility without accountability and consider ourselves exceptions instead of examples. The whole book of 3 John is about what the wrong kind of independence can look like.
Most of the books that make up the New Testament are letters to independent churches. The letters prove just how much they needed each other’s examples and careful instruction. The Corinthians needed to come together as a church and grow up (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).The Galatian and Colossian churches needed to stop their legalism and be reminded about the simplicity of trusting in Jesus alone. The Philippian and Thessalonian churches needed encouragement in suffering and opposition. The Ephesian church was an incredible example to the others. The Roman church was reminded that we’re all the same and in need of the same Savior. The book of Revelation visits 7 churches that need encouragement and adjustments. Having a healthy dependence on each other is also a good thing.
So maybe the best word is interdependent. It means independent but not isolated, autonomous but accountable, unwavering in truth but relevant to culture, committed to our personal walk but consumed with a desire to share the relationship. That isn’t just a great idea for the church, it’s a great one for us!
The Solomon Foundation is a great illustration of interdependence! We receive investments and put that money to work to build churches—to build the kingdom—all while giving a great return on that investment! In doing so, we help to remove obstacles from churches, allowing them to experience their greatest potential. We’d love to be your ministry partner for that same thing today!
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