a.k.a. gossip

This is a plea unto the people of God. Please communicate. Listen to one another. Express your thoughts and your feelings clearly. If you have a concern regarding a brother or a sister address that concern directly with only the person concerned. I admit my guilt in the sin of triangulation (a.k.a. gossip). Let's admit it, we like to use the assets available to us to their greatest disposal. However, simply because a pastor or an elder has a greater measure of influence, we must not continue to behave as manipulative, back-biting, pre-adolescents in order to push our own agendas through the institutional church.

If we desire to see growth of the body... if we desire to experience movement of the Spirit... if we desire to be used as catalysts for revival and change- we can not continue to permit petty gossip to invade and entangle our local church bodies. Oh I know that it's a subtle and seemingly insignificant sin, but is sin not still sin? Is gossip still disobedience to the will of God? Back-biting and triangulation of personal matters injure the already weakened body. People will abandon the gathering of the saints in favor of isolation or the pursuit of friends who won't air their dirty laundry under the guise of a prayer request.

Please talk to one another. Be clear. Be sensitive. Jesus was a revolutionary communicator. We could learn a great deal about sharing the journey of faith by exploring the depth of the compassion, sensitivity, clarity, and honesty in which our Lord communicated with those who sought after him. It's time to start sharing in the life born of loving God and others above ourselves. Let's take baby-step and start communicating effectively.

Can you hear me now? Good.