Repairer of the Breach-

I read an interesting statistic concerning Pastors. They generally leave a church because of conflict with just three people. Wow, if that were true I should have been gone in the first few weeks of my current pastorate here at the Vine! I have been here for 18 years. And I have had my fair share of conflict, breaches, and people leaving. (With multiplied heartache.) Fortunately, I don’t belong to the denominational flavor that threatens leaving people with excommunication and/or resigning them to hell! (Remember, they are God’s people- He gets the final say so.)

Isa 58:12 And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. KJV

Breach- It refers to a rupture, a tear, a breaking up or shattering of something: a breach created in a wall; the breaking or rupture occurring in the process of childbirth. It is used figuratively of separation created between persons or groups.

Breaches occur. People come and people go. I remember a group of close to 15 people that came to the church in mass and eventually left the church in mass! That is the nature of the church especially in this consumer driven church culture- you build it bigger, better, livelier, and on entertainment and they will come until the next church trumps what you are doing and then they go. But I digress… why do breaches occur?

1. Because I do big pieces of stupid! That’s right; sometimes it is the pastor’s fault. Hey, did I say clay feet?
2. Sometimes it is their fault. They do big pieces of stupid also. Like becoming pharisaical with a religious nature and spirit that won’t budge and is always right. "Your wrong"… they win by leaving the church. ("Take my toys (tithe and talents) and go elsewhere!")
3. People get their underwear in a knot and that becomes painful not only to them but to all those around them! ...ooops, did I really say that?
4. Contention and disagreements separate, period.

So, you might be able to add more but the truth is the Kingdom suffers, churches suffer, and families suffer. Nobody wins but the accuser of the brethren!

But God is the ultimate restorer and repairer of the breach. And we as His people are to be too. There is no greater triumph and a slap in the face to the devil than when two are reconciled! God is glorified, forgiveness received, friendships restored and unity achieved!

My Christmas present this year of 2008? To be restored to a dear friend.

Why aren’t more breaches healed? PRIDE continues to bring contention!