When Efficiency Costs Our Soul

We have all seen faith communities struggle with “church ills” — attitudes and actions that do not reflect the character of Christ.

These failures weigh heavily on those who care about the health and witness of the church.

Recently, a fellow believer quietly shared her concern about the un-Christlike behavior around her and asked, “What can I do about it?”

The Limits of Our Power

The hard truth is that we cannot “fix” people. Our tools for restoration are limited but powerful: prayer and approaching others in love. We approach them hoping they will be motivated to examine themselves and make a "U-turn.

"But what if they do not respond?

At that point, we must guard our own hearts. When we take our eyes off Jesus and focus only on the faults of others, we risk becoming what we condemn. We can slip into bitterness, self-righteousness, and hypocrisy. Scripture, however, directs our attention elsewhere:

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith...” (Hebrews 12:2)

We must also trust that “He who began a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). If God is patient with people as He works in them, we must practice patience as well—without abandoning truth or accountability.

The “No Time” Trap

One troubling tendency in modern ministry is to bypass biblical processes for the sake of convenience. I once asked a church leader why the restorative steps in Matthew 18:15–17 is so often ignored. The answer was startling: “We don’t have time for Matthew 18.”

In our rush to manage the “business” of the church, have we decided that biblical procedure is simply too slow? Efficiency may be valuable, but it must never become an excuse for disobedience.

Can we ever excuse ourselves from God’s instructions? The answer is no. We cannot sincerely claim to follow God while ignoring the path He has given us.

The Word Is Our Way Home

To avoid the Word of God is to distance ourselves from God Himself, for “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

The Word is not a suggestion: it is our lifeline. It guards our hearts against sin and illuminates the dark paths of conflict, correction, and restoration:

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”(Psalm 119:11)

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”(Psalm 119:105)

A Prayer for Restoration

If you are frustrated by the condition of the church or the conduct of its leaders, do not allow your heart to grow cold. Instead, pray for the grace to:

• Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.
• Speak the truth with humility and love.
• Trust God to work in others in His time.
• Know and apply Scripture, even when obedience is inconvenient, slow, or difficult.

Restoration does not begin with our ability to change others. It begins with our own commitment to know, live, and faithfully apply the Word in every circumstance. Let us recommit ourselves to that calling today.

Dr. Paul A. Scavella

Leadership Consultant & Theologian