in the lives of our people, we emulate Hebrew emphasizes things by repeating
the God of peace who sent the Prince the “how.” “How good and how pleasant
of Peace with the gospel of peace.
it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Far
too many of God’s people know by
Two, the example we set must reflect experience the heartache of just the
it. The qualifications for an elder opposite. How bad and unpleasant it is
i n c l u d e p e a c e m a k i n g c h a r a c t e r. when brothers dwell in strife!
Pastors are not to be violent but gentle,
not quarrelsome (1 Tim. 3:3). When
When we embrace
engaging troublesome controversies
in the church, Paul instructs: “And the
our calling as ministers of
Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome
reconciliation in the lives
but kind to everyone, able to teach,
patiently enduring evil, correcting his
of our people, we emulate
opponents with gentleness. God may
the God of peace who
perhaps grant them repentance leading
sent the Prince of Peace
to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim.
2:24-25).
with the gospel of peace.
“
Few things challenge my sanctification,
or lack thereof, like conflict. God has
repeatedly sent me into the mix of broken
relationships, bitter resentments, and
unresolved disputes to show me my
own sinful heart and shape me more
like the merciful, gracious, slow-to-
anger, forgiving, and loving Father He
is to his children (Ex. 34:6-7). Pastors,
we must not duck our peacemaking
assignments because God ordains
them as much for our spiritual good as
the people who need our help.
Three, the flock we tend will relish it.
On their way up to Jerusalem for the
annual feast observances, the Jews
sang a collection of psalms called
“The Songs of Ascent” (120-134). Each
focused the people as they journeyed
on worshipping the Lord for his ways
and gifts. Psalm 133 celebrates the
sweetness of ongoing peace among
God’s people in community. Verse one
declares, “How good and pleasant it
is when brothers dwell in unity!” The
My previous church suffered two splits
in its first decade. I stepped in as the
third pastor after the second meltdown.
I knew if we were to experience a future
with the delight expressed by the
psalmist, I would have to set the pace,
cast the vision, and lead our people
to become a peacemaking church.
I wish you could have experienced
something of our excitement the day I
passed the baton to our fourth pastor.
For the first time in its history, our
church enjoyed a “good and pleasant”
unified pastoral transition. No one
regretted the deliberate efforts we
made at cultivating a culture of peace
over the previous fifteen years. Fellow
shepherds, please don’t duck your
peacemaking assignments. The joy of
your sheep depends upon it!
Fourth, the Master we serve will reward
it. In Matthew 5, Jesus proclaims his
eschatological vision of glory for his
followers in the Beatitudes. They are
Solutions • 41