Mission Control

 "You must get along with each other. You must learn to be considerate of one another, cultivating a life in common."  1 Cor. 1:10

Fighting among ourselves is perennial; it's what people did in the ancient city of Corinth as well as in our world today.  We prefer this person's leadership and views over that one's.  We create factions and categorize the people like us from the strangers over there, who think differently and threaten our control.  

Power struggles undermine the mission.  Let's remind ourselves as Paul did, that only one mission matters.  Let's proclaim the good news that Christ came to set free all who are perishing and who are prisoners of sin.  Think of 'sin' as our various addictions and habits which undermine human flourishing.

"God didn’t send me (Paul) out to collect a following for myself, but to preach the Message of what he has done, collecting a following for him." 1 Cor. 1:17  

Salvation comes through the work of "Christ on the Cross."  Christ paid the penalty required by a holy, righteous God to redeem us, reconcile us, and adopt us into his family.  Christ alone is in charge and sustains the universe.  

Knowing that, we must learn to consider the interests of others and to practice humility in order to exalt Christ.  We must be less concerned about our brand in order to promote his.  We must learn to work together for the sake of establishing God's kingdom.  

For ideas and strategies, see Uncommon Ground:  Living Faithfully in a World of Difference, edited by Timothy Keller, 2020.