Church elders and other leaders today often deal with various controversies. In every church there is at least one member who believes that their unique way of interpretation is the only way to look at Scripture or Ellen G. White’s writings. We can classify these controversies into three categories: theological, such as the nature of Christ, the Trinity, and perfectionism; practical, such as music styles and church politics; and lifestyle, such as issues of diet, dress, and social issues
While each of these issues are theological at their core, this article, and the subsequent two articles in this series, will not deal with the controversies themselves. It is very important for church leaders to study the relevant issue thoroughly to discover what the Bible—and Ellen White—says about the topics. The Bereans were commended because they “searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).¹ If these new believers were so intent on their study, we as leaders must be even more studious. The intent of this series of articles is to give broad, general suggestions on how to deal with people who are questioning what the church believes. This first article will deal with the importance of prayer and love. The second will deal with the importance of handling the Scriptures and Ellen White correctly. The third will give practical ideas for having healthy dialogue.
QUESTIONING WHAT WE BELIEVE IS HEALTHY
One of the first things to remember when working with people is that questioning what we believe is healthy. It can lead to greater knowledge and stronger faith. Although it can be frightening to hear someone wonder if what they’ve been taught is the truth, questioning is an important part of growth.
When we ask questions, we also must keep our minds and hearts open to the Holy Spirit’s leading, because He promises to lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Ellen White affirms this when she writes, “No true doctrine will lose anything by close investigation.”²
When a church member comes to you with questions or doubts, affirm them in their quest for truth and encourage them to spend time in prayer, and searching for answers in the Bible. Paul encourages Timothy to study the Scriptures so that he is a worker who “correctly handles the word of truth” (1 Tim 2:15, NIV). When we study the Scriptures diligently, the Word of God will lead us into the truth. The psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Ps 119:105, NIV).
PRACTICAL TIPS FOR WORKING WITH THEOLOGICAL CONFLICTS
Prayer must take place before, during, and after every discussion.
If we do not pray about theological conflicts, we are going into a spiritual battle without any armor. Before we address any issues, we must pray for ourselves, for the people involved, and for discernment in the conversation. We must pray that our own hearts would be pure, that we would have love for the people we talk to, and that we would be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must also pray for the people involved, that they, too, would be open to the Holy Spirit and that they would experience wholeness, healing, contentment, and peace in their lives. Finally, we must pray for discernment, that God would lead us to have the right approach, the right timing, and the right attitude as we speak with them.
As you begin the conversation, continue praying silently. Many times while a few others to pray for you during the conversation. Afterwards, continue praying for them, for yourself, and for discernment to know if and when to broach the issue again. This follows the example of Paul’s prayer for the Colossians: “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col 1:9). Remember that you are not responsible for changing people’s minds. This responsibility belongs to the Holy Spirit alone, who promises to lead us into all truth.
Loving others is more important than conflict.
Jesus disagreed with His disciples regarding the importance of mission. His disciples thought His mission would be liberation from the Romans, and He tried to show them love in midst. Despite this agreement regarding a salvation issue, Jesus spent almost His time with them, washed their feet, and helped them proclaim the Gospel, even though their picture of the Gospel was not complete!
Even the disciples disagreed with each other. Matthew had worked for the Roman government; Simon the Zealot had been part of a group plotting to overthrow the Roman government. That’s about as bitter a disagreement as there is. But Jesus called them together to work with Him. That doesn’t mean they had to agree on everything; in fact, Jesus’ prayer was that they be one, united—not that they be uniform in everything they believe, but united—just like He and the Father are one, right before He died (see John 17).
Even after Jesus’ ascension, the book of Acts tells of conflicts. There was confusion regarding whether circumcision was necessary for Gentiles. This was a major issue, yet Paul and others continued in the proclamation of the Gospel. All these examples remind us that even when we disagree, we must keep working together and loving one another. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Heb 10:24–25).
CONCLUSION
Healthy relationships, with God and others, are essential for the health of the church. Our love for God and our love for others are inextricably intertwined (see 1 John 4:20). This means that in order to love others well, we must love God well. And to love God well, we must love others also. Our love for God is fueled by prayer, Scripture reading, witnessing, and worship. The more time we spend with God, the more we will be able to love others the way He loves them. When we pray and ask God for wisdom, He will give us the discernment to know the right ways and attitudes for the situations we encounter.
As we interact with people who have questions or divergent views, we must each agree that we will approach the subject with humility and prayer, that we will have respect and love for each other, and that we will follow the revealed truth in the Word of God. While speaking to a group of ministers at the 1883 General Conference, Ellen White gave instructions on dealing with conflict and maintaining unity within the church:
Though we have an individual work and an individual responsibility before God, we are not to follow our own independent judgment, regardless of the opinions and feelings of our brethren; for this course would lead to disorder in the church. It is the duty of ministers to respect the judgment of their brethren; but their relations to one another, as well as the doctrines they teach, should be brought to the test of the law and the testimony; then, if hearts are teachable, there will be no divisions among us . . .”³
May God grant us the spirit of submitting to each other as we pray for and love those who disagree with us.
1 All biblical quotations are from the New King James Version, unless otherwise indicated.
2 Ellen G. White, “Christ Our Hope,” The Review and Herald, December 20, 1892.
3 Ellen G. White, Pastoral Ministry (Silver Spring, MD: Ministerial Association, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists, 1995), 103.
Timothy Baze is the pastor of Chowchilla and Madera Seventh-day Adventist Churches, Central California Conference, CA, USA.
Joseph Kidder, DMin, is professor of Christian ministry and discipleship at the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary in Berrien Springs, MI, USA.
