IC’s ride the top of the wave when it comes to modern trends. We seem to catch all the currents of our times, as well as the winds that blow. In today’s Christian world there are several trends that we must deal with. Most IC’s have a healthy amount of inter- denominationalism in their fellowships, and a significant amount of tolerance for one another, too. But if we try to bend to everything that comes our way, we will eventually break the fellowship in the church and live in constant conflict. Not a good way to live or a good environment to serve in.
What are the issues of today? What hills must we die on? In addition to the regular issues of abortion and homosexuality, here are some of the trends of the day that IC’s must deal with include:
- Calvinism and Arminianism: The centuries old debate has never fully disappeared, and, in fact, has reappeared in recent years due to the popularity of well-known authors writing on these topics.
- Additional mediums of knowledge of God: Is sola scriptura still the faith of the church, or does God speak to us also through dreams, visions, and prophecies?
- Young-Earth Enthusiasts: Some of these teachings hold not only to a young earth, but to an inflexible specific interpretation of Genesis.
- Cancel Culture, Critical Race Theory, Black Lives Matter, and Social Justice: These are topics that people are very sensitive about, and not just in America, but around the world.
- Women in ministry: What they can do and what they cannot do. What titles they can hold, and what titles they cannot hold.
- Infant baptism: In a multi-denominational setting, how do we interpret baptism? Is it rightly linked to the rite of circumcision (the Analogy of Faith interpretation), or is “believer’s baptism” the proper biblical pattern?
- AND, is it proper for governments to mandate vaccines? And is it right for churches to exclude the unvaccinated from attending?
These are tough issues to resolve, and, in fact, in many ICs they will not be 100% resolved. In discussions, there can be sharp disagreements. A pastor in a tense church discussion once said, “Who would like to shoot the first question?” A vote, even if it passes by a majority, might still leave large schisms in the church family. Here are my thoughts on these matters:
- Don’t be afraid of doctrine. Denominational boundaries exist for good reasons: To assure agreement in doctrine and practice, and to avoid distracting and unnecessary conflict. Even in a non-denominational church, some doctrinal boundaries need to be established and published. “We are this, not that.”
- Teach on relevant matters. Twice in Proverbs the inspired author said, “The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences” (Prov. 22:3 and 27:12). Timely biblical messages on relevant topics are “like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Prov. 25:11).
- Establish reasonable and relevant standards for those teaching and leading small groups in your church. Those standards should include character issues, but also that they will teach according to and not contrary to the doctrine of your church, and that they will follow the church leadership. (1 Cor. 14:33).
- Do not pick unnecessary fights. A servant of God is not to be a quarrelsome person, rather he is to be humble and gracious, letting God give repentance unto the truth. (2 Timothy 2:24-26).
- Do not wade into deep waters unprepared. If you need to address these issues, be well prepared to do so, in biblical knowledge, in modern cultural awareness, in compassion, and in prayer. “Do you see a man hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him” (Prov. 29:20). As we say in Texas, “Don’t wander into the cow lot with leaky boots.”
- Be gracious and compassionate toward all. Even if people do not agree with our beliefs, they should find from our side that we “disagree agreeably.” “Let your gentleness be evident to all” (Phil. 4:5). “Speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15).
- Do not be afraid of church discipline. If those who disagree choose on their own to leave the church, then let them go, “God has called us to live in peace” (1 Cor. 7:15). Church discipline is a last resort after every effort has been made to restore the person, but it is a tool that God in His wisdom has given us. Proverbs says, “Drive out the mocker, and conflict will depart; even quarreling and insults will cease” (Prov. 22:10). “As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him” (Titus 3:10).
- Above all, keep teaching and preaching the word of God (2 Tim. 4:1-5). Keep your eyes on Christ and do not be distracted from preaching the whole counsel of God.
As a pastor, I have often worried about how vulnerable the church seemed to me to be. God has graciously showed me over the years, that though each church endures satanic attacks, the church is not as vulnerable as I, in my pride, imagined it to be. It is built by Christ and upheld by His power. We can trust God with the church that He is building.
David Packer
