For our leaders...Be Inclusive except for legalists

This past Saturday, I taught a seminar at a leadership training conference on being an “outward” focused church.  The reason I was invited to speak on this topic is because our church has become well known in our community (and among many of my peers) as a church that has been committed to being externally focused from our very beginning.  That being said, Mountain Vista Community Church has never been a “free-for-all,” or “the more the merrier” conglomeration of the masses.

As a leader at MVCC it’s important that you know that our openness and commitment to outreach stems from our desire to mimic the inclusive nature of Jesus Christ.  It was Jesus’ practice to take time to minister to those who were lost and knocked down by life.  However, don’t miss this very important next point. 

Jesus by his very choice of words “excluded” many.  He excluded all who were arrogant and self-sufficient.  That’s why he said it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom (Matthew 19:24.)  He wasn’t commenting on wealth per se as sinful, but the arrogance and self-sufficiency it often creates in us.

Wealth isn't required to make someone arrogant.  The overtly arrogant come in all shapes and sizes and they’re to be excluded from our fellowship by our choice of words…direct instead of passive, honest instead of accommodating, harsh instead of patronizing, anger instead of timidity.  At least that’s what Jesus did.  Now, Jesus’ intent was that his bold truthfulness would cause these people to realize their wrong attitude and come to him in humility and find grace.  However, many didn’t accept his harsh words and were subsequently excluded from fellowship by their own choice!

Did you know that there is only one unpardonable sin?  The Bible communicates amazing stories of grace and forgiveness extended by God to all who acknowledge their shortcomings and cry out to him for salvation...no matter how bad their moral failure.  That’s why our church has always been committed to reach out to people and welcome them in with whatever issues they have.  We know that Jesus will forgive them and redeem their life for his glory.  However, one sin He will not forgive. 

God will not and cannot forgive the kind of arrogance that rejects Jesus and the grace He offers to everyone (Mark 3:28-30.)  The Devil was the first to commit this sin…believing that he did not need God and that he could run his own life.  So, he became separated from God by his own choice.  In the same way, deep-seated arrogance in UNBELIEVERS is what keeps them from humbling themselves and asking God for forgiveness even though God offers every person multiple opportunities to repent and experience His peace.

If arrogance is at the root of the only unpardonable sin, what should be our attitude toward BELIEVERS who, although forgiven, continue to live with a overt disposition to this sin?  It’s to respond the way Jesus often did toward the religious elite – with brutal unapologetic honesty.  So, as a leader who has been raised up by God for a purpose, you are to love on those who humbly seek God and be brutally honest with those who arrogantly challenge your convictions, your motives, and your leadership.  If they leave your group that’s God's will but if they change, you’ve helped to save them.  In either case you've protected your ministry from being commandeered by legalists!