Let's Talk it out

Recently a radio station posted a question on Facebook asking about church splits, and asking the reader to share their story. Well, you would have thought they were asking you to share your greatest sin! So many people were offended by this question, even vowing to "unfollow" the station. The overall feeling from these people was that talking about a church split wasn't "edifying" and it was spurring "gossip". Funny, I didn't see it that way at all! 

Sometimes Christians, even reputable ones get a little too high on the horse, making "rules" about what we should and should not say or do. They seem to think we should never utter a human word or emotion and be in the Spirit always. Ideally, yes! But we live in a world where flesh happens! We live and worship among the broken and the fallen. Should they never utter their story because it might offend someone? Isn't that how most of us have learned how to make corrections in life, by sometimes watching the mistakes of others? Sometimes making them ourselves??

So what's so wrong about talking about a church split? I can think of a few guidelines, as far as keeping your integrity intact. Will your story help or harm? Will it add perspective or will it breed dissension? Are you aiming to hurt or discredit or are you merely hurt and praying for reconciliation? Are you disappointed and need direction? What's the purpose? Isn't that the real question? I think this radio station asked a great question, albeit taboo for those who didn't understand it well. The question was being posed to Christians! Shouldn't they know how to answer that question in a godly way already? And instead of giving a thoughtful, Christ-reflective answer, they chose to tear apart the question. We have a big responsibility if our true goal is to show others who this God is we love so much and want to introduce to others. We can't be so stuck in piety and perfection and rules that we don't see opportunities to teach and offer Biblical insight to real problems. They can't just be shoved under the rug or "unfollowed" because they are uncomfortable to discuss.