The Council Speaks

Q: Our Indigenous church has a problem between those with low incomes and those who have a good paying jobs. Most of our leaders are the ones with good incomes, but the low-income people don't want their leadership. They tell the ones with good jobs they aren't Indians anymore. How should we deal with this? I don't want our church to break up.

A: I am glad we have a book to rely on for answers. Many problems like this one would not have to be if the Bible was taken to be the authority at home and church. The requirements for leaders of the church are found in 2 Timothy 3:1–8 and Titus 1:5–9. These people can be in either high or low-income groups. I do not know how your church choose their leaders in the past, but here in the book of Timothy we see that good Christians should be and can be in places of leadership regardless of what they are making financially.

Once leaders have been voted in or appointed to their positions in the church, it is best to except that leader ship and not look for areas of criticism. While a good paying job can be a temptation to be rich (read 1 Timothy 6:9–10; compare with 17), it is not wrong to have a good paying job; neither does it change a person's nationality. If an Indian is making a good living that does not mean he is not an Indian anymore. There seems to be a chance of jealousy on the part of "they" mentioned in the question.

To deal with this, I'd suggest some things to consider. 1), no matter how you operate a church program, it's going to cost money, so don't be too anxious to get rid of those who can make it. We should not be dependent on government funds in the church. 2) Choose leaders according to their spiritual walk. 3) Pray for your leaders. With God answers your prayers for good leader ship, your congregation should not have to break up. 4) As a church grows, in time the leader (pastor) can be fully supported financially by the church.

A: It is very sad to realize that the Indian churches are having spiritual problems over what who makes what and how much. It seems to me that we have not so learned Christ. We need to study the precious promises God gate gives most closely and apply them to our very own personal Christian living. " I ask you from the heart to live and work the way the Lord expected you to live and work. Live and work without pride. Be gentle and kind. Do not be hard on others. Let love keep you from doing that. Work hard to live together as one by the help of the Holy Spirit. Then there will be peace" (Ephesians 4:1–3).

With her saved her children of God weather rich or poor, whether we hold a good paying job for a poor paint job. Those things do not make a person anymore or less a child of God. We as believers should work together to accomplish what our Lord has commissioned us to do-go into all the world and preach the gospel.

A: Every church I know has both groups of people. And white society church has lawyers, state senators and business people who fit very well with lower class people.

I think the problem is jealousy. It can be between rich and poor, between tribes or whatever. They need the word of God present it to them to show how God wants us to be united. When Christians can function together, they are growing in the Lord. When they can't, it is a sign of immaturity.

In Galatians 5, Paul talks about freedom, but he makes it plain in verse 13 that we are not to use our freedom to please the flesh, but to serve one another. People who are jealous of each other don't make good servants. They need to give this up and work for the good of the whole church. y