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Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Ephesians 5:21

I once heard that if a couple can wallpaper a room together without it destroying their relationship, they'll be together for life. I'm not sure that this is the best measure of relational longevity, but there is a measure of truth in that idea.

There is increased opportunity for conflict when tasks demand cooperation, involve personal preferences or habits in how they are executed, require precision, are driven by personal taste, and give immediate visual feedback on how effectively the task is done. Each one of those elements of wallpapering creates space for disunity.

I've been thinking about this as we continue through our July Auditorium Update Project. So far, I've heard several opinions on each of the following:

  • What colours we should paint the different parts of the room
  • What the new ceiling lights should look like
  • What colour the wall sconces should be
  • What order/process should we do the painting in
  • How much we should be willing to spend to redo the space

It's fine if we each have different opinions, preferences, and processes in our own spaces, but in a shared space on a project that requires many hands, these differences become points of conflict. Here's something true about this project...no one will be happy with every aspect of it. Some won't like the process. Others won't like the paint colours. Others will think we should have done different lighting. Some will wish we spent more or less in getting it done. Depending on how tightly we hold our perspectives on these things, they can quickly and easily become a threat to unity.

There is so much else within the church is a threat to unity. It's just that normally we can ignore those differences or pretend they don't matter.  It seems to me that our Christian faith isn't tested primarily on Sunday mornings when our differences aren't on as much display and when we can go home after an hour and ignore them. Our faith is tested when we stand shoulder to shoulder working on something together - something we won't agree on. Denominations might split over theological differences, but more local churches have conflict or even split over things like carpet colours or building projects.

Yes, this auditorium update project is a chance to make our building look nicer. It is also an opportunity to work together as we contribute our various gifts and talents. For many of us, it will be an exercise in Christlike submission. And, in the process, is a chance to be reminded of what it means to live out the way of Jesus together.

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