We’ve always recognized that we’re not the forever-answer for the church in Konomala. We have a truly unique opportunity to establish something new in this community, but it’s more clear all the time that there is no generational “guarantee” in all of this. It’s easy to operate with some hidden expectation that the church will be healthy and vibrant if we do all the right things in just the right way. That subtle and often subconscious thought is an outright lie that the flesh clings to in order to maintain some imagination of control through the uncontrollable parts of life.
A couple conversations in this last week have been good examples of the reality of helping others follow Jesus. We have no ability to guarantee or control other peoples’ decisions to follow Jesus or not. In a moment, each of us individually have a choice: do we do something out of humble submission to God’s truth and direction, or do we do something else. The flesh will always choose something else.
Just to be careful, we have used some codenames, but keep praying for each of these guys! Jesus knows =)
Conversation #1
Background:
We have some good friends who are part of another little church in our community. Over the years, we have had a lot of truth-filled conversations particularly with Al, the leader of the church, who is now a believer. We might have mentioned it in the past, but a few months ago, Al came to us convinced that God wants our two churches to start being together as one church family. He proceeded to follow through in a slow, drawn out process to see if the rest of the church members would be on board with that.
A few days ago, Al told us that they got an official “cease & desist” letter from the leaders of their denomination. They are officially not allowed to associate with us in any way as a church. He’s really frustrated with the whole thing, but he feels stuck now. He wants to do what he feels is best for his congregation, but he also wants everyone to be happy … a lot more tension just got introduced to the situation.
This is the second time (that we know of) where denominational leaders of different churches have made drastic statements from afar. When it comes to the moment of choosing what to do, our flesh will find every reason possible not to do something that the Spirit is offering. This is the real part of life with each other. Regardless of how good something might be for us, we have to make a costly choice to follow Jesus, trusting that He is offering what’s actually best for us.
Not a lost cause by any means … just a chance for us all to see things a little more clearly and trust God’s Spirit in the next decision.
Conversation #2
Background:
Dave & Bonny have experienced some amazing change in their lives as they have humbled themselves under God’s truth and learned to walk closely with Him. They have been doing particularly well this past year and a half or so. A couples weeks ago, they made the first steps in moving away to be near some family on the other side of the island. It’s a bummer for the rest of us in the church as we will miss them. We’re trusting God that they will find ways to be built up in their faith there as well.
In the months leading up to them leaving, one of Dave’s friends, Danny, seemed to really take an interest in spiritual things. He was making frequent visits to Dave’s house, and Dave was not bashful in pointing him to the truth & life found in Jesus. We had heard a few highlights of their conversations, so when we found out that Dave was leaving, we took a couple opportunities to chat with Danny. We felt for him as he seemed bummed out about Dave leaving, but we tried to really encourage him that there are others of us in the church who would love to keep spending time with him.
As everyone always does, Danny responded with lots of enthusiasm and made promises to come find us “soon.” We were skeptical, but then one evening he stopped by and said, “I’m leaving it up to you now. When you see me and want to hang out, you tell me when and where and I’ll come. Just let me know.”
So the next time I saw him, I let him know … and we made plans to hang out a few days later. The time came and went. He didn’t show up until later at night and I didn’t even realize he had stopped by. But to our surprise he showed up the next afternoon and wanted to talk. The Spirit planned it perfectly in leading Mike (a faithful man in the church) to come find us right at the same time.
Over the next few hours, Danny engaged in the conversation with humility and genuineness as he considered truth and spoke about what he knows God’s Spirit is leading him to. He talked about how he had been blown away by the life change he had seen in Dave, and how he has been seeing God’s life becoming evident in our lives within the church. He knows where his answers can be found: in submission to God’s word, humbly following His Spirit, and intentionally living within His family. After leaving our house, he ended up talking with Mike at his house for 3 or 4 more hours into the night.
He wants our families to have dinner together next week.
He wants to come celebrate Easter with us as a church.
He wants to prioritize life together as God’s family over fear & submission to denominations and shame because of other peoples’ opinions.
You guys, this is how the church will be healthy and thriving into the future. Not because of anything we can produce in others, but through faithfulness, humility, and actively living life with Jesus and each other.
Let these real life stories of struggle and faithfulness push us all to consider how we can adjust to live more intimately with Jesus and other people around us.
KONOMALA 