What Do You Think About What That Church is Doing?

I travel to a lot of different churches in a lot of areas, so I get this question quite often:

What is going on with the church in Abilene?

My first response is to tell them how excited I am about what God is doing at Hillcrest where I am. Lots of Kingdom growth. Evangelism. Harvest of souls. Then they get to the real question: what is going on with (fill in the name of the congregation or college)?

Here’s what I tell them:

First, I say that I don't know because unless they are asking about Hillcrest, I probably don't have a clue. And I am sure too busy to try and find out. Oh, and I believe in congregational autonomy, so it is not really my business.

Then I tell them since I am not an elder at the church they are asking about, I really am not responsible for what they do, so...

And finally, even if they are doing something I do not think is healthy or even the right decision.... well, I might be wrong.

I don't attend there. It is their business. I am not sure what is going on and I might be wrong about the issue.  

Let me be clear. I think I have a solid Biblical view about any number of things. But not everyone agrees with me. And I am sure that goes both ways.

Then I ask, “How did that church respond when you talked to them about it?”  Usually, that ends the conversation.

Or I ask if they believe in church autonomy. Another conversation stopper.

Finally, I sometimes give my stock answer. I may or may not agree with everything every congregation or college in Abilene is doing, but I sure hope they all talk to everyone they can about Jesus. I hope they all baptize dozens, hundreds, next year. Because there are a lot of lost people in Abilene.

God will sort it all out. If they are way off base, they will not last long.  

Just like your congregation.