A group of elders must maintain a clear focus as they work in and for a congregation. No matter how tense a situation may become, the relationship between the elders and other people in the congregation must not degenerate into an “us” and “them” relationship. While the elders surely need to work together as a cohesive group who respect and appreciate each other even when they disagree, they do not exist to maintain a hostile relationship with the congregation. They do not by design distance themselves from other Christians in the congregation.

As a group and as individuals, they always seek to be approachable, respectful, kind, and considerate to all. They do not have a self-centered attitude that easily becomes paranoid. They do not live or function in a state of feeling sorry for themselves. Instead, they know they exist for the good of all. They cultivate a spirit of sharing, not a spirit of control. Even the member (who is ruled by emotion as he [or she] disagrees with the congregation’s appointed leadership) has no reason to fear approaching the elders. Even the elders’ enemies (if they have any) are touched by the elders’ commitment to a spirit of fairness and respect.

Unfortunately, there likely will be situations that arise in which others seek to create a gap between the appointed leaders and the congregation. However, when such situations arise, leaders will do two things. First, they will not knowingly contribute to the existence of the gap. Second, they will function in a fair objectivity, kindness, and respect even if they are victimized. The ability to respect self as a Christian is critical to the elder even when another Christian does not respect him. Elders do these two things because they place their faith in God’s Spirit exemplified in Jesus Christ.


Cultivating the Spirit of “Us” When We Differ

Two things powerfully affect a congregation’s reputation in its locale (among religious and non-religious people). First is its helpful involvement in local human needs. Second is the way it handles and settles internal disputes. People see and respond to respect, kindness, and compassion when such are expressed for people outside the congregation and inside the congregation. When a congregation allows Jesus Christ to teach them to care about people in distress, the purposes of Christ are served well.

There is a tremendous “us” emphasis among Christians in the New Testament. The “us” emphasis occurs in the midst of a divisive conflict that permeated most of the congregations mentioned in the New Testament. Interestingly, the “us” emphasis in the New Testament occurs in the looming shadow of a controversy that simply would not go away. A deep resentment that predated Christianity often infected early Christians.

The descendants of Abraham through Isaac had a unique view of themselves. The Creator God Who lives began working after the entrance of rebellion into His creation. The God of Creation was dedicated to rescuing His Creation so it could serve God’s intended purpose. A part of that rescue involved the descendants of Abraham through Isaac.

However, those descendants confused God’s method with God’s objective. Instead of seeing themselves as an important vehicle to help achieve God’s objective (see the statement in Isaiah 49:6), they saw themselves as God’s objective. The problem was not to be seen in God’s objective, but the problem was (and is) to be seen in the way they looked at themselves. When a group of humans see themselves as God’s objective instead of those who assist God in achieving His objective, mega problems develop.

First-century Jewish Christians were extremely irritated by gentiles converting to Jesus Christ without first becoming Jewish proselytes. Consider all it took to convince Peter to go to Cornelius in Acts 10. Consider the reaction of Jewish converts to Peter’s visit in the home of a gentile in the first of Acts 11. Consider the Jewish Christians’ reaction to Paul’s work among gentiles in Acts 15. Consider Peter’s fear of Jewish Christians’ reaction to his eating with gentiles in Galatians 2:11-14. Quickly we realize that Jewish converts like Paul, Barnabas, Mark, Silas, Timothy, Aquila, and Priscilla were exceptions among Jewish converts to Jesus Christ, not the rule.

Speaking from the perspective of the Jewish convert (especially in the Jerusalem area): “The very idea is ridiculous! How could any righteous person think that a former idol worshipper could come to God just because he (or she) has faith in Jesus Christ. How could anyone think a gentile is as desirable to God as is a devout Jew! The idea that a gentile with nothing more than faith in Jesus Christ can come to God is too foolish to be taken seriously! Were they born in God’s chosen people? No! Have they submitted to the cutting process of circumcision? No! Do they know the purity code of foods [examine Leviticus 11]? No! Has their life been governed by the proper interpretation of God’s laws given through Moses? No! Why, even after baptism, there are so many flaws in their concepts of God it is downright laughable! And we are supposed to accept and associate with them just because they believe Jesus is the Christ? I don’t think so!”

For a clear view of this conflict, see Romans 11 and 14, 1 Corinthians 8, and Ephesians 2:11-22. Paul wrote to churches that were either composed of gentiles or had a majority of gentiles. One of the reasons for Jewish resentment of Paul was due to his association with gentiles—consider Acts 22:21, 22.

The Christian spirit of “us” did not just occur because people who were different were converted to Jesus Christ. Paul declared that spirit must be cultivated and nourished. One of the greatest tragedies within Christianity occurs because Christians are certain they are pursuing God’s purposes by resisting a spirit of “us” among those in Jesus.


Biblical Emphasis on the Christian Spirit of “Us”

The Christian spirit of “us” is expressed in statements made by different New Testament writers in “one another” scriptures.

Consider statements made by Paul concerning the Christian spirit of “us.” We will begin with his statements to the congregation in Rome:

Romans 12:5— ... we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.

Romans 12:10—Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor ...

Romans 12:16—Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.

Romans 13:8—Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.

Romans 14:13—Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this—not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way.

Romans 14:19—So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

Romans 15:5—Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus ...

Romans 15:7—Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

Romans 15:14—And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

Romans 16:16—Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

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