As our church is going through a time of change, after our associate pastor has left and many who are discouraged has also left, I am reflecting on who are the ones who are staying on.
In this free country where there is a good church every other block, what keeps a person staying with a church when things are not going well?
I’ve come up with a few characteristics of a person who stays: (Feel free to comment and add to the list.)
1. A person with a high level of tolerance for diversity. He is able to live within a system where other people do things he doesn’t like, nor agree with, as long it they are not doctrinal issues.
2. A person who not only tolerate differences, but may even find a hint of humor in situations where it might normally cause irritation.
3. A person who is focused on seeking out the good that is happening in the church and rejoices in that. He points out the positives to others as well, so that together the joy of the Lord is their strength under difficult circumstances.
4. A person who is not critical, not dwelling on the negative and spreads that attitude by telling others how bad things are , but accepts the fact that life is never perfect.
5. A person without any agendas or expectations of how things should be, but accepts what is.
6. A person who is willing to get involved where there is a need, not get involved only where he wants to or feels comfortable. When he does that, he sees the power of God at work in the church, because he would know that it is God at work and not his own abilities.
7. A person who believes in the sovereignty and power of God, and looks with a sense of excitement and expectancy to see what God is doing around the bend. He waits patiently for God to unveil his plan, knowing that God’s timing is hardly ever the same as his own.