Wesley Chapel Worship Experience Part 1 and 2 Sermon “Them Members” Based on Matthew 18

I love the local church.  I really do. Deeply. But almost every church I know has members and attenders that get under the skin of the leaders. My Wife often makes the comment that she sees some of the same people in every church they just have different names. Often, we see the same problems, the same issues and the same members ministry after ministry.  Jesus in the text offers detailed guidance regarding the handling of conflict in the church (verses 15-20). I am sure Jesus had seen some of “them members” even in his disciples or followers. As long as we have churches, we are going to have church conflict. The object is to bring members back together, and our obligation is to pursue Unity & Love even at great cost of time and energy. The penalty is severe for those who refuse to respond to the unity process, but the process is designed, not to punish, but to open the eyes of the offender to the seriousness of the offense—and to bring him/her back into the fold. The common element in these portions of this chapter is that they call us to throw away the calculator when dealing with relationships. ·  No effort is too great when trying to restore peace in the church. ·  But there are some folks in the church that can get the best of us all so as I think around the idea of leadership and nominations for 2021, I want to look at some major member types. As we deal with “Them Member”! I first came across this term as a member pulled me aside early in my ministry and said; “Rev you got to understand there are some folks in this church you have to watch out for and I’m here to tell you all about them members”! So, I want to deal with them members as we review 10 of those types of member’s we find in just about every church 5 this week and 5 next week as we deal with Unity & Forgiveness: