Pastoring after schism

Anyone who has experienced a church split will know that it is a most traumatic experience.

John writes in 1 John in the aftermath of a significant church schism, which he refers to very briefly in 2:19; "They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us". The very brevity of this comment betrays the pain in his heart – and in the heart of every pastor who has watched the very people that they love and pray for, turn away from following Jesus.

And so, since this letter is about handling schism we must ask what we should do if we face schism and division in our church?

Look at what John does.

He affirms the central truths about Jesus; that he is the fully divine Son of God (1:3, 2:22-23, 3:8, 3:23, 4:9-10, 4:15, 5:5, 5:11-13, 5:19-20), and that he is fully human (1:1-4, 4:2).

He affirms the central leading features of genuine Christianity; the genuine Christian will obey God’s commands, 2:3-6, 3:4-9, and God’s command is to love one another; 3:11-18, 4:7-12.

These three features are the backbone of John’s letter.

John does not fight, or call people names, or speak against those who have caused the division, or accuse them of being evil. He simply warns those loyal to Christ about the dangers of leaving orthodox, genuine faith in Christ.

But watch how throughout this loving pastor carefully loves and encourages and speaks words to build up and strengthen those who have been so wounded by what has happened.

In fact at one point, (from 2:12-14), he completely breaks from his argument to affirm and encourage and strengthen the different generations of believers; the children, the young adults and the older generation. He wants them all to know that they are standing well in Christ.

And look at how again and again he affirms the truth of what we know and where we stand in Christ.

We know that …

… we have come to know him if we keep his commands … 2:3

… when Christ appears we shall be like him … 3:2

… he appeared to take away our sins … 3:5

… we have passed from death to life … 3:14-15

… we have eternal life … 5:13

… we have what we asked of him … 5:15

… anyone born of God does not continue to sin … 5:18

… the evil one cannot harm them … 5:19

… that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life … 5:20

and this is how we know ...

… that we are in him … 2:5-6,

… what love is … 3:16-18,

… that we belong to the truth … 3:19-20

… that he lives in us … 3:24

… that we can recognise the Spirit of God … 4:2-3

… we recognise the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood … 4:6

… that we live in him and he in us… 4:13

1 John, along with the accompanying letters of 2 & 3 John, are masterful examples of speaking the truth in love. Each letter oozes love and kindness and mercy, along with gentle truth telling and correction.