Cornucopia PRESIDENT ' S PERSPECTIVE


by KEVIN STONE, PRESIDENT In this season of


Thanksgiving, we typ- ically spend some time thinking of all the things for which we are grateful. God has indeed blessed us


richly, beyond anything we deserve. His mercy, grace and love are incomprehensible — and that is a very small sample of the cornucopia of blessings God has bestowed upon us.


“Cornucopia” is a fun word. It refers to an abun-


dant, overflowing supply. At Thanksgiving, we some- times see a literal cornucopia used in decorating. That kind of cornucopia is a horn-shaped object overflowing with various kinds of vegetables and gourds. It is a symbol of the abundance of a good harvest.


One thing I have noticed about decorative cor-


nucopias is that they always seem to include variety. I don’t think I have ever seen a cornucopia overflowing with just potatoes (even though potatoes are obviously the best vegetable). When we picture abundance, we do not usually see just one thing, we see variety. The perfect Thanksgiving meal includes not just the main course, but also a variety of side dishes and desserts.


Now I want to focus for a moment on the cornu-


copia of people God has placed in your church. Each of our churches is filled with a variety of people from a variety of backgrounds. It is relatively easy to be thankful that these unique individuals bring certain gifts. 1 Corinthians 12 presents the concept of one body with many members and teaches us that various gifts are needed to function properly as one healthy organism.


However, there is more to it than the combining


of helpful gifts. When you bring together an abun- dance of different people with unique gifts, you also get unique needs, unique character traits, unique preferences, and unique desires. Suddenly the one who brings a gift also brings a problem to solve.


If you have been around church for a while, you


have seen what I am talking about. I don’t mean serious theological disagreement that can and should result in division, but differences in style, preference, passion, or emphasis.


For instance, Brother Bob ministers door-to-door


and cannot understand why others in the church lack his passion. Sister Sue coordinates an annual mission trip and is frustrated that many in the church do not go. Pastor Joe is into studying the end times, and laments that others do not seem very excited about prophecy. Elder Frank believes that the church needs more organized prayer time. Sister Jane feels that giv- ing up the old hymns will be the church’s demise.


Whether you have been one of the fictional char-


acters above, or the one sitting next to them, you have likely been frustrated. God brings together a cornu- copia of gifts — but also a cornucopia of interests, passions, convictions, hobbyhorses, and pet peeves.


I would never encourage someone to be a constant


squeaky wheel, to stir up trouble nor fault church lead- ers over disagreement. The Bible is full of admonition to be humble, submit to one another and avoid strife within the church (Eph. 4, Phil. 2:3, 1 Cor. 1:10). We must be willing to set aside our personal preferences to serve one another.


However, I think we can all use a reminder that


the people in church who have wildly different opin- ions on matters of style or ministry technique are a blessing. When we consider all those different prefer- ences and remember that there is more than one way to be effective, we find a balanced ministry that blesses a broader range of people. When we celebrate some- one’s hobbyhorse and give them a few resources to enable them, we find new and creative ministries that reach farther into our communities.


We need to be challenged in different areas. We


need passion in one area to counteract apathy. We need encouragement to stretch in new and helpful ways. We need a variety of viewpoints to maintain a healthy balance. Simply stated, our individual differ- ences make us better as a whole.


If you know of a church that might be interested in joining our fellowship, let us know at: office@febcministries.org.


I am truly grateful that God has surrounded me


with people with whom I do not always agree. The cor- nucopia of gifts, dreams, perspectives, ideas, passions, and peeves is truly marvelous. Praise God, from whom all blessings flow!


FELLOWSHIP FOCUS, OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2021 2


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