Setting aside our numerous and significant differences in doctrine for a minute, let’s take a look what American Catholics have been up to and see what we can learn.
For some time now an issue has been brewing concerning the inclusion of pro-abortion Catholic politicians in their church’s communion. With a Catholic now sitting in the Oval Office, they’ve realized the time has come to develop an official policy on the matter. A delegation of bishops are currently working to hammer out a formal statement about communion and its place. A number of Catholic leaders have gone on record to recommend denying communion to such members, and one New Mexico state senator was recently denied communion by his priest.
Again, we don’t share their views on priesthood, communion, salvation, and a number of other things. But this dustup is a rather interesting situation which provides us with a chance to discuss some important concepts.
First of all, we should note they are absolutely right to say such a clear, plain-to-see sin separates one from God and the fellowship of the church. It might sound harsh, but just change the analogy to something broadly considered to be both sinful and morally repugnant and it gets a lot easier to understand.
Let’s say your local state senator, a church member, came out as a vocal proponent of race-based slavery. I don’t think there would be any controversy if a church decided to censure such a member. Endorsing something so abhorrent would obviously be grounds for confrontation and potential removal from fellowship.
Between abortion and slavery, both are obvious, egregious sins. The only difference is that one has cultural approval and the other does not. If openly supporting slavery would be grounds for censure, so should openly supporting abortion.
Second, there’s something to be said for a doctrine of exclusivity in a time of near universal inclusion. Yes, God does not want any to perish (2 Peter 3:9), but that doesn’t mean He’s going to save everybody. Jesus turned away literally thousands in His ministry (Luke 9, John 6, for a couple of examples).
We do not need to be unnecessarily harsh gate keepers, pushing people away from the church with arbitrary standards or a holier-than-thou attitude, but neither should we lead people to believe that God’s church has no boundaries. If we aren’t embodying any definable set of beliefs, we offer little reason for anyone to be interested in belonging.
Third, the big question here is this: if this action and other difficult, controversial ones like it are right and necessary for church leaders to undertake, do the leaders in our congregations have the strength to carry them out?
Though we might not be in that situation right now, the determining factor is the same as always – faithful in little, faithful in much (Luke 16:10). If I can’t preach boldly on a truth which the world will hate or some in the congregation might reject, then the answer is no. Those of us who preach must possess the fortitude to say what needs to be said, regardless of what anyone thinks. We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Elders likewise must be committed to do uncomfortable but crucially important things like confronting sins where necessary.
On the other side of the table, if you’re a church member, are you willing to follow the lead of Godly men when they make those hard decisions? Have you truly submitted yourself to their lead as those who care for your souls?
It’s a beautiful thing when God’s church has one heart and one mind to follow Him and let Him handle whatever comes our way. In that scenario we’re showing God we believe in Him and that He will reward us for seeking His way (Hebrews 11:6).
Thank God for those leaders who fear God rather than man (Matthew 10:28) and will do that which is difficult but necessary. Pray for those who preach and teach that they will have boldness, pray for those who lead that they would be strengthened and built up as God’s shepherds rather than hired hands, and pray for our congregations that they will follow such men and not be burdensome to them.
—by Jack Wilkie, July 28, 2021
Jack Wilkie is editor of focuspress.org and author of “Church Reset: God’s Design for So Much More.” He also preaches for the Forney church of Christ in Forney, TX, where he, his wife, Allison, reside with their two children.
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