Teamwork You can’t have your cake and eat it too. No Matter the Cost

Latest Church Split Breaks Baptist Record The small community of Goodlettsville, Georgia - population of just over 5000 – holds the record for the most number of Baptist Churches in a small town: 48. This high density of Baptist congregations is the result of multiple splits since the first congregation - the Goodlettsville First Baptist Church – was founded in The first division came in 1911 when a dispute arose over whether the offering should be before or after the sermon. The dissenters went off and formed the "Goodlettsville Reformed Baptist Church." In 1915 the Goodlettsville Reformed Baptist Church split over the issue of whether or not to have flowers in the sanctuary. 25 members left and organized The Trinity Reformed Baptist Church of Goodlettsville. Several more splits took place over the next decades. For example in 1931 one of those churches – The Third Reformed Baptist Covenantal Church of Goodlettsville divided over the color of the carpet in the sanctuary. Nine people left to form the Third Westminster Trinity Reformed Baptist Covenantal Church of Goodlettsville. A big battle arose in 1983 when the Southern Baptist Denomination planned to merge with the evil Northern Baptists.

The Eleventh Westminster Reformed Baptist Covenantal Church of Goodlettsville voted to remain in the denomination while fifteen members broke off and formed St. John's Baptist Church. One week later, St. John's Baptist Church split because some members disliked the word "Saint" in the name of a Protestant Church. The most recent split occurred this past weekend, when a dispute arose among the Second Street First Ninth Westminster Trinity Reformed Baptist Covenantal Church over whether or not you could check your on the Sabbath. Those who objected have now left to form The Totally Reformed Baptist Covenantal Westminster Charismatic Sabbatarian Fundamental Amillennial Purpose-Driven Church of Goodlettsville. "I think we've finally got it right now" said Paul Davis, Pastor at TRBCWCSFAPDCC. "We now have a church with 100% doctrinal purity and we are ready to reach out to the community and show the world the love of Jesus.”

When we battle with each other, why should anyone outside the church believe our message?

Jesus once said, 24 If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall apart. Mark 3:24-26 (GNT)

Acts 6:1 In those days, as the number of the disciples was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews against the Hebraic Jews that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.

Phil. 2:14-15 “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.”

Acts 6:2-6 2 So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. 3 Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them 4 and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

5 This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit;also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism. 6 They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.

On the night before His crucifixion Jesus prayed: 20 “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one— as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. John 17:20-21 (NLT)

Acts 6:7 7 So the word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests became obedient to the faith.

References The Complications of Multiplication -- John Hamby Teamwork -- Michael Mccartney Called To Serve -- Mike Hays Growth Problems --Steve Shepherd Your Table is Ready” -- Rev. Douglas C. Hoglund A Church That Serves --Michael Luke