- Mar 21, 2018
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My belief is that a community only functions to the extent that people conform to the general expectations of the community.
So, what is the value of establishing rules, if you don't enforce the rules when they are violated?
I work in a professing Christian facility that I see rules established but not enforced all the time. So, I am wondering, am I simply wrong and rules are only set up, for the gullible ones of us who believe we are to follow rules, with the expectation by rule-makers that most of us will conform and therefore the overall community will function the way they want anyway?
Hi Johnny-
The life of Christ in his people changes the conditions for human behavior. Over and again in the New Testament, the New life is first described and THEN teaching on how to live in Christian community (and in public) is give (e.g Ephesians 1 vs. Ephesians 3,4).
Part of this order comes from the model of leaders in the church. Paul specifically points out in Titus and 1 & 2 Timothy. There is an expectation that as we mature in our life in the Spirit we grow in our reflection of Christ and our ability to help others mature (Ephesians 4:13, Hebrews 6:1). So, the first issue is, do the elders and other mature Christians in the church actively model maturity, love, service, modesty, humility, etc. Do they articulate and explain the "rule" of faith in the various ministry and worship contexts?
In addition to this (what I will call the "Culture of Christian Love"), church communities have to navigate practical considerations and rules (based on physical property utilized by the church e.g. building, church vans, etc.) as well as missional considerations (e.g. "Do we allow hoodies in church to accommodate visitors who might be investigating Christ?").
I'm not sure how your church polity functions, but any "rule" that does not serve its purpose, or that is not inline with God's kingdom purposes, or which can't be enforced effectively should be revisited. If the rule is creating divisions, causing pride or lack of love, preventing ministry, etc. I would suggest bringing this situation to the church elders.
If the "rules" are rooted in biblical principles and gospel objectives, they need to be communicated to the congregation at large (often regularly "This is why we do x here at YOURCHURCHNAME".), communicated to staff and leadership (at every level) and personally addressed in love by the leadership to individuals if necessary. The Culture of Christian Love embodied in a particular congregation is OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE ("they will know you are MY disciples by your agape for one another" - John 13:35). Therefore a clear understanding of "why we do what we do" is crucial for the church family and future members.
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