Truth Takes Longer Than We Think

As I’ve said before, there will always be some people more ready and willing to speak than others, so the leaders (and others) should strive to keep the talkers in check while drawing out the quieter members of the body. 

In judging, especially, there is usually a self-appointed “truth checker” who is ready to jump on anything anyone else says with his own corrections, contradictions, or additions (this is often me, unfortunately).  He will monopolize the response to the group’s ministry if the others are not careful, so—again—he should be gently asked to defer to other people more.  The quieter people should be directly asked for their judgment, their “amen” or “negative amen,” after giving them sufficient time to collect their thoughts. 

In fact, the group should remind itself that its questions or issues under discussion don’t have to be resolved—tied up with a bow—that day.  Sanctification is a long process, and part of our deference to Jesus as head of his church is to give Him time to teach us. 

Send everyone away with homework—prayer, study, and/or listening to the Lord about the questions brought up in the meeting.  Keep seeking the Lord, as a group, until you all come to an understanding about the issue. 

It may be that you all finally decide that different people have different convictions on a gray issue (like video games)—and that that’s okay.  It may be that the Lord finally confirms some task the church should perform by sending words and dreams to different people.  Or, different teachers could come back with the results of their prayer and study of a doctrinal issue, allowing the discussion to be more carefully informed instead of off-the-cuff and volatile. 

Likemindedness is an important enough goal to spend time on, week after week if necessary.

Coming soon...Chapter 4.27:  Judging Must Be Public

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