When two people or groups have a disagreement, it’s called a conflict. When multiple conflicts break out, with people and groups changing sides depending on the issue, that’s called chaos. In the past, conflict has been considered a normal part of life—but not chaos. That seems to have changed in the past year as countless conflicts by, with, and among people and groups have infected communities, families, schools, and churches. Conflict has morphed into chaos.
Chaos is bewildering. Conflict allows us to identify an opponent, understand their position, clarify the issues, and work toward resolution (even if it means agreeing to disagree). Chaos is much more complicated, almost to the point solutions seem impossible. If addressing conflict is like playing checkers, managing chaos is like playing multiple games of three-dimensional chess simultaneously. It can be maddening.
Leading in this current milieu motivated me to consider a story in the Bible when the disciples faced a chaotic situation. Jesus had died and was reportedly resurrected, but there were still doubters. His early followers had scattered after his death and their leaders were in hiding. Imagine the name-calling, finger-pointing, second-guessing, and frustrating arguments in families and among believers! In the midst of this, Jesus appeared and delivered a remarkable message to the disciples—the leaders he was depending on to set the pace.
Jesus said, “Peace be with you” and repeated himself three times (John 20:19, 21, 26) to be sure they understood his point. In the midst of chaos, Jesus spoke peace into their situation. He wanted his leaders to have peace and model it for others. Jesus did not deliver them, rebuke them for lack of faith, or give them a strategy for solving all their problems. Instead, in the midst of chaos, he gave them peace.
In one translation of the Bible, there are over 250 instances of the word peace—more than twice as many as the word grace. Most of us emphasize grace (as we should) but may have minimized the availability of peace as a spiritual resource for our mission. Just after saying, “Peace be with you” he continued, “As the Father has sent me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Our mission of getting the gospel to and making disciples among as many people as possible cannot wait until chaos abates. Jesus gives us peace as we move ahead, advancing our mission despite the chaos.
Peace is a resource for leaders as we stay on mission with the gospel. Find peace in the promises of God and the power of his Spirit—and keep moving forward with the gospel.
Read More
Perspective: SBC 2023
Dr. Iorg discusses what unites the SBC in light of next week’s annual convention.
Intentionality
The greatest problem in our world is lostness. The only solution to lostness is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Listen
“Life is Curriculum”: How Leaders Grow after Seminary
Dr. Iorg encourages leaders to continue growing after Seminary. He identifies seven ways to cultivate and work towards spiritual maturity.
Dealing with Angry People
There is a lot of anger in the world right now and a lot of that anger is spilling over into the church. This week Dr. Iorg discusses different ways to engage with and disciple angry people in your ministry.
Watch
Spirituality of Jonathan Edwards | JEC at Gateway Seminary
Dr. Chris Chun hosted a digital symposium with Dr. Michael Haykin and Dr. Robert Caldwell to discuss Edwards’ spirituality, devotional life and theological impact in American Christianity.
Faculty Dialogues: Dispensationalism or Not
In this episode of Faculty Dialogues, Dr. David Rathel and Dr. Paul Wegner held a live discussion on their views on dispensationalism.
