By: Darwin Hunter, Wooddale Church of Christ

The only way to have a trouble-free church is to:

1) PREACH NOTHING: The apostles and other members of Christ's body in those early days preached the Word. They knew that doing so would upset the Jews, the Romans, and the pagan world in which they lived. The apostles preached a distinctive gospel: one Savior, one church, one way. Of course, if you don't preach those salient points of the gospel, you can avoid a lot of trouble with the opponents of the truth. However, eternal trouble will be facing you at the judgment (Galatians 1:6-9; Ephesians 4:3-6).

2) STAND FOR NOTHING: The early church opposed "evil works" practiced in their society (Ephesians 5:11), and in their preaching "meddled" in such areas as sexual sin, drunkenness, lasciviousness, unlawful divorce and remarriage, and covetousness (Galatians 5:19-21; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 7:1-4). Of course, avoiding making judgments in these areas will reduce conflict with our wayward world, but again it will bring us greater eternal woes.

3) DO NOTHING: The surest way to avoid criticism is to avoid doing anything. Many modern believers seem to have perfected this lifestyle. when the church is active, is converting others, and develops a high profile for righteousness in its community, it is bound to make waves (Acts 19:20-41). So to avoid problems, just be a church down on the corner that no one knows anything about, or ever hears from.

4) REACH NO ONE: Problems are usually caused by people because people have problems. Therefore, a church without people is a trouble-free church. Of course, it also resembles a cemetery, and thwarts the purpose of the existence of the church (Mark 16:15-16; Ephesians 5:23).

5) CHALLENGE NO ONE: Elders and preachers have found fewer problems arise when they do not challenge the membership to deny themselves, give up worldly practices, contribute generously, and work fervently.

Yes, all of these things will guarantee an untroubled existence for the present. However, since all these suggestions are not in accordance with Christ's plan for His church, they will also guarantee an eternally troubled future! While trials and problems attend a faithful life in the Lord and in His body (the church), nevertheless, we must faithfully endure so that Heaven will be ours (Matthew 10:22). We dare not adopt the cowardly way of ease (Amos 6:11; Revelation 3:14).