Matthew 6:12
Forgive us as we forgive those who sin against us.
“Low Drama Church
How much of your life is consumed with Drama? As a pastor I have stated a strange goal: "I want to pastor a low-drama church!" I know what you are thinking- that I have lost my marbles and that is impossible. In our age of drama-instant communication, 7000 text messages a month, reality t.v. land, Bride-zilla, social media explosion, etc etc it is really hard not to get sucked into drama. I do want to add I am so blessed that we do have such little drama at Clark Fork City Church
There was plenty of internal fighting and drama in the Bible:
- Before David fought Goliath he had to deal with Saul
- Paul and Peter had a disagreement about doctrine
- Joseph had some brothers who didn’t believe in him
- Gentiles were not Jewish enough for the disciples, so they said "get out the knife!" or something like that...
As we have been looking at the Lord's Prayer and in a series called "Teach us to Pray," we are learning as we pray we are caught up with Jesus priority of forgiveness. Deep Prayer=Low Drama! One caveat- to be in the kingdom means we will have drama and battles and challenges. Also being a church that wins new converts and reaches out to a city will illicit a certain amount of drama. That is the good type of drama. The bad kind of drama is infighting among believers. Prayer reminds us to excel in forgiveness and mercy and grace!
Here are a few quick points on being a Low Drama Church
1. Be quick to forgive (Leave your gift at the altar and go reconcile with your brother.)
- Matthew 5:23-24
2. Don’t be in a hurry to miss those outside the church. Luke 10:25
The Harvest is Plentiful Laborers are few! It’s not a harvest problem…It's a laborer problem. Could it be we are about so many other things we miss a chance to do what is right?
3. Our Heart is for those within the church:
· Ephesians 2:19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God
· Galatians 6:10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
4. If you are continually offended by something or someone check your heart condition. Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
5. Don’t criticize- James 4:11-12 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
· Judging a person does not define who they are, it defines who you are.
6. My Seat can be someone else’s
· I am here to serve. Our church exists also for everyone else that isn’t here yet and I won't allow my own drama to get in the way of reaching people.
7. Take Responsibility for your emotional state.
8. My people prayer list is not an excuse to gossip.
· Eph 4:31-32
· Explaining your side to someone who does not want to listen and understand you is like using a pencil that was not sharpened, it’s pointless.
9. Forgiveness Makes Room for God to Move- Unforgivness gives the enemy room to move in our lives.
John 13:34-35 -The will know we are Christians by their love one for another.
For an extreme example of forgivness and response to drama- Check out:
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