|
2 - Peters and Joneses: Hatfields and McCoys |
|
|
|
The Peters and the Jones have both worshipped at Oak Church of Christ for decades, but they have not spoken to one another for five years. By attending different classes and different services, they manage to avoid one another. The initial dispute that caused their estrangement concerned their children, but the exact nature depends on who you talk to. The Peters say that Cindy Jones, the Jones’ daughter spread rumors about Susie Peters at school that caused her to be shunned by many of the other children. The Jones say that Susie Peters was jealous of Cindy, who was more poplar at school, and blamed her for not being able to fit in with the other children. There was one attempt at the beginning for all the families to sit down with the principal at school and work it out, but the stories could never be reconciled, and each family supported their child.
The dispute grew worse over time. Both families had long histories with the church, and both declared that “they would not be driven out” by the other family. Neither family would attend a church event if the other family was expected to attend. Mr. Peters made a business decision that hurt the business of Mr. Jones, and Mr. Jones saw it as retaliation for the disagreement of their children. Mrs. Jones was chair of a women’s group in town that turned down Mrs. Peters for membership, and Mrs. Peters was sure that Mrs. Jones was responsible. At church, friends of each family tended to take sides in the dispute, so the conflict that started between the two families had caused broader divisions in the church. The youth ministry staff felt continually caught in the middle as they tried to minister to both Susie Peters and Cindy Jones, who did not speak to one another. They often received complaints from both families about problems their daughters experienced in the youth group.
The elders and the minister had tried to approach each family about the issues, but had been firmly told that the matter was a private problem between the two families, and that attempts to resolve it had been unsuccessful. They didn’t know what else to do. Each family was important to the congregation, generous in financial contributions and active in volunteering. They felt that pushing the issue any further could make the problem worse and lead to a split in the church. They bided their time, hoping that when the two girls graduated from high school that the tension
might be reduced.
SCRIPTURAL POINTS OF LIGHT
Matthew 18; Matthew 5; Ephesians 4; Romans 12:17-18; Colossians 3: 12-15; Mark 9: 50; 2 Corinthians 13: 11; Hebrews 12: 14-15; 2 Timothy 2: 23-25; Matthew 18 and 1
Corinthians 6: 1-6; Philippians 4: 2-3
|
facebook
twitter (@pvcclr)
google plus
rss
