From the desk of Pastor Jim

Have you ever noticed that church people don’t always agree?

I know—shocking!

We can disagree about music, worship times, how warm the sanctuary should be, what color the carpet ought to be, and perhaps the most serious theological question of all: Who made the coffee this morning?

In Matthew 18:15–20, Jesus talks about something very practical—what to do when people disagree, hurt one another, or simply get on each other’s nerves. Jesus knows that wherever two or three are gathered, sooner or later two or three may disagree!

His advice is surprisingly simple: Talk to each other.

Not about each other.

Not around each other.

Not through six other people.

Talk to each other—with honesty, humility, patience, and love.

Jesus reminds us that the goal of Christian relationships is not winning an argument. The goal is winning back a relationship.

That can be difficult. Sometimes saying “I’m sorry” feels harder than giving a twenty-minute sermon. Sometimes saying “I forgive you” requires even more courage. Yet those simple words can open the door for God's grace to do something beautiful.

Church is not a gathering of perfect people. If it were, I’m not sure any of us would qualify! Church is a family of imperfect people learning together how to love God and love one another.

And families occasionally disagree.

The good news is that disagreement does not have to become division. Hurt does not have to become bitterness. Through Christ, forgiveness and reconciliation are always possible.

Jesus ends this teaching with a wonderful promise: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Christ is present not only when we worship together but also when we work through our differences together. Christ is present in the apology, the forgiveness, the handshake, the hug, and sometimes even the laughter that comes afterward.

So the next time someone gets on your nerves—and sooner or later someone probably will—remember: choose grace.

Listen a little longer. Judge a little less. Forgive a little quicker. Love a little deeper. Because when we choose reconciliation over resentment, we show the world what the family of God can look like.

And thankfully, we don’t have to agree on everything.

(This is based on a real incident I recently had!)

Grace and peace,

Pastor Jim