A few years ago I was captivated by a book title and ordered the book. It was called, The Contagious Congregation by George Hunter. I wanted to be a part of that kind of church that was so infected with the love of God in Jesus Christ that we would be contagious and others would catch what we have. I looked forward with anticipation to reading the book. Ironically, when the package arrived, I opened it quickly, only to discover a mistake. The bookstore did not send the book The Contagious Congregation; they sent a book titled, The Contentious Congregation! What is on the book cover of our lives: CONTAGIOUS or CONTENTIOUS?
Ronald J. Hipwell, Westmont United Methodist Church, Johnstown, Pennsylvania July 98
The Bible says a lot about that particular malady infecting the churches:
For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a castle.
Like Barney Fife would say, “We need to nip this in the bud.”
Give it some thought.
Gary