Before I became a pastor, I would hear stories from pastors who were not treated particularly well by their congregations. They would talk about how difficult those churches were and the regular struggles they would have in trying to manage all the conflict within the congregation. I am happy to say that I have experienced none of those stories here at Cross Roads! Even in the occasional moments of disagreement I witness, they are handled with civility and respect, and they don’t linger and fester over a long period. To me, this shows a great Christ-like spirit. I see this church living out some of the verses we read in last Sunday night’s Bible study:
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:2-3
In today’s world of so much conflict, disagreement, and outright hostility, thank you for being a people that reflects a Christ-like spirit in your lives. I think this is one of the reasons Cross Roads has flourished in a community that has gone through many challenges over the years. Keep up the good work!