Business meetings and the grace of forebearance

Our church just conducted our one and only annual church-wide meeting a while back. Most people cringe at the thought of church business meetings. Not the case for our church. Our body is very blessed to be filled with people who aren't divisive and contentious. There are no heated arguments or unkind words. This is probably a rarity, but it is a blessed thing. We thank God for it.

Why is this the case? I am sure there are multiple factors ranging from the example of our leaders all the way down to how the meetings are conducted. For this post, however, I would like to highlight the grace of forebearance. Forbearance is that attribute which allows you to put up with people. What they are doing or what they are not doing drives you crazy but you tolerate it. You suffer long with them. You bear up under what you see as irritating.

Oh, how important this virtue is. And never more so than business meetings. Why is this? For the simple reason that we are all different. We have different maturity levels, different personalities, and different ways of handling things. So many differences means that at any given point, someone would be doing it differently if they had it their way. This is what makes congregational meetings a mine field of conflict. The nature of a congregational meeting is an openness that allows the voice of the flock to be heard. That generally means anyone can say anything at anytime. The irritation of difference is to be expected by everyone. But without forbearance, a blowup is just around the corner. And when that happens, if there there is not a response of forbearance in return, that church has just entered the vicious and painful cycle of blowups.

Has your local body of believers been taught forbearance? Have they had forebearance modeled to them? It is something we look to the Spirit to produce in us. It is a mix of humility, love for others who are different than ourselves, and patience. If a shepherd is going to attempt to save time by having a congregational meeting, this is a grace that needs to be prayed for, grasped and modeled by leaders, and taught to the people.

May the Lord grant you forebearing brothers and sisters.