GCD Newsletter - 21st February 2024
Every Sunday believers gather in local assemblies to worship God through singing, preaching of the Word, and the ordinances. These people share a common faith in Christ, but often that’s the only commonality. They have different personalities, different tastes, different backgrounds, and often completely different lifestyles. What could go wrong?
Unfortunately, we’ve seen where things do go wrong. Individuals with different personalities bicker about how situations should be handled. People with different preferences for style of music or preaching let those differences cause unnecessary division. Rather than being united around Christ and his gospel, we make mountains out of issues that should be molehills.
Last week’s articles provide helpful guidance for believers striving to live life in community with people who are different. May they spur us along to be people known for grace and patience, even among our many differences.
In Christ,
James Williams serves as associate pastor at FBC Atlanta, TX. James and his wife, Jenny, are blessed with four children and are actively involved in foster care. He is passionate about beholding the beauty of our Lord and helping others do the same. He enjoys writing, running, and gardening. You can follow James Twitter or his blog where he writes regularly.
Last Week at GCDiscipleship.com
The Solution For Personality Tests
by Tristany Corgan
“But if we’re not careful, there’s a big potential problem with personality tests, and as Christians, we must be aware of this problem and be prepared with a good solution. After all, our personalities are an important part of who we are, and we ought to seek out ways we can leverage our quirks and traits to glorify God and serve the church.”
Christian Displays of Affection
by Tim Shorey
“Like the Communion meal, the spoken congregational “Amen,” a shared confession of sin, the responsive reading of Scripture, and reciting of creeds, Christian PDA remind us that church life is horizontal as well as vertical. As such, displays of affection can become sincere expressions of community love and unity—no matter what our differences may be.”
The Neurodivergent Believer
by Allyson Reid
“Despite my anxiety and awkwardness, I have been blessed to serve my church in a variety of ways that utilize my neurodivergent attention to detail and my desire to equip women with sound theology. Neurodivergence does not negate my ability to grow in Christlikeness and service to the body. It may instead be part of God’s means to help me bless his church.”