The Three Simple Rules of the United Methodist Church can deeply inform the way that we are in ministry in the world, if we let them.
Rule one - do no harm. How many of our fights in the world start because we ignore this rule? We want our side and preferences to not just be made known, but to be chosen, no matter what the cost and who we hurt along the way. When we think this way it can distract us from what ministry means and the power of witness that ministry and mission can have in the world.
Rule two - do good always. We often fight with one another because that feels safe- it is safer to fight with other people who are like me then people I do not know. But what if we took all of the effort and energy it takes to fight with one another and instead channeled that into doing good - serving others - be a servant leader? How could the world be blessed and God be honored?
Rule three - stay in love with God. Paul is deeply invested in the Corinthian Church, because God is invested in them and Paul is concerned for the things of God. He sincerely wants them to put God first. How often do we even think about God when we are fighting with one another? Or worse, how often do we try to make God be on our side, instead of seeking after the very heart of God?
Next time we find ourselves becoming upset - let us take time to figure out how we can engage the situation differently through the Three Simple Rules of the UMC.
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