In the Behavioral Covenant, numbers three and four are very important for living out our faith in community with one another.  We all can practice speaking our truth in love and expressing our joys and concerns with one another.  It is not always easy to sit down at table with others, and say what you really think, but the more I have seen that not happen in my life, the more important I think it is to express your viewpoint, even if people are not going to agree with you.  At least others know where you stand.  You may not always get what you want when expressing what your need is, but in an amazing way, people are brought closer together by expressing who they are.  All of us are partners in the same body.

3. Challenge each other with the truth. Be willing to confront when it is important. “Instead, by speaking the truth in a spirit of love, we must grow up in every way to Christ, who is the head. Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.” Ephesians 4:15-16

4. Deal with people directly; don’t complain to others. “If one of my followers sins against you, go and point out what was wrong. But do it in private, just between the two of you.” Matthew 18:15. If someone complains to you about another member, help that person follow this principle.

Number four relates to number three, in that communication is direct.  It is so easy to get off track, if we don’t express what we want or need to others, and then go out the door and mention it to the first person that we see.  Eventually, a form of the complaint reaches the person it was intended for, but rarely is it identifiable, and oftentimes it comes from the person who is the last one who is responsible for being the truth bearer.  Our Constitution uses Matthew 18 as a way to solve conflicts, so this Behavioral Covenant is right in line with the Constitution of this congregation.

Grace and Peace to you as you begin to use these helpful techniques with your friends, relatives, co-workers, and Church family.

Pastor Kathy