The first-century church in Corinth had so many problems that it required two lengthy letters from Apostle Paul to address its dysfunction. It had a member who was having an incestuous relationship with his stepmother (1 Cor 5). The worship services were a circus with all manner of irreverent public displays (1 Cor 11-12). They were fractured into groups following various leaders with different teachings (1 Cor 1, 3). Christians were suing one another (1 Cor 6). They were confused about marriage and related relationships (1 Cor 7). While generous, they had significant financial issues related to giving and receiving offerings.
The church in Rome also had its struggles with sin (Rom 1), although perhaps not as pronounced as in Corinth. The Roman church had doctrinal questions that required Paul’s most theological explanation. They also struggled with practical problems like church/state relationships (Rom 13) and church fellowship/function issues (Rom 12). Paul concluded his letter by connecting theology with practice, addressing common church problems and solutions based on sound doctrine (Rom 14-15)
The church in Galatia battled over the nature of the gospel (Gal 1-2), the role of the law (Gal 3), and freedom of conscience (Gal 5). The church in Ephesus struggled with the nature of the church (universal church or local church). As part of this, they were also confused about the function of the church leaders (Eph 4), the application of the gospel in domestic relationships (Eph 5-6), and the nature of spiritual warfare (Eph 6).
The church in Philippi had fellowship issues, memorialized by two women, Euodia and Syntche, in such conflict, they were singled out by name (Phil 4:2). What could have caused such a divisive conflict that Paul addressed it in an open letter to be read to the church (and included in the Bible for all of us to read 2000 years later)? That must have been some fight.
The church at Thessalonica was confused about the second coming of Christ, with some members retreating to a mountaintop to await Christ’s return (1 Thess 5; 2 Thess 2). The Colossians struggled to understand the deity of Jesus (Col 1-2).
Both Timothy and Titus, local church pastors, received extensive instructions in letters addressed to them (and the churches). These correctives weren’t random advice from Paul but were written against actual leadership challenges those men faced.
When considering the seven churches in the Book of Revelation, things aren’t much different. Most were called out for specific shortcomings. The Ephesians had, about thirty years after receiving Paul’s letter, abandoned their love for Jesus (Rev 2:4). In Pergamum, the church had succumbed to false teachers and was warned to repent before any hope for doctrinal recovery was forfeited (Rev 3:16). The church at Thytira tolerated a ‘Jezebel’ who was disrupting their fellowship by eating meat sacrificed to idols and practicing sexual immorality (Rev 2:20). While barely alive, the Sardis church was spiritually deceived – thinking they were striving, though nearly dead – and warned to wake up quickly (Rev 3:2). And the church at Laodicea was lukewarm and in danger of being vomited out of the Lord’s mouth (Rev 2:16).
Considering all the above, I praise God that He put me at Hillside instead of one of the churches above. I am not saying that Hillside has no issues. Hillside has its share of challenges as well, but not as extreme as the above, in my opinion. God has placed many good men and women who love the Lord in this small community called Hillside.
However, I will be the first one to tell you that I can’t lead this church without your help. I am not naive enough to think I have all the skillset needed to bring this church to the next level. I simply don’t. This is where you are needed to fill in the gap.
I visited Jim Petrovitz yesterday. He has been with Hillside for 67 years, the longest member at Hillside. He shared how the founding members of this church, back in 1958, put their time, treasure, and talents into building this church. We all benefit from their ministry years and years ago. The best thing we can do to honor their ministry and legacy is to prepare this church for the next generations. We want their legacy to live for generations to come.
For this to happen, we ALL need to work together. Let’s not call HCOG a church. Call it MY church.
H I L L S I D E C H _ _ C H O F G O D
(what is missing from the above?)
Your servant,
David Gunardi