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I'm working presently to try and reconcile a young couple who just separated and it reminded me of something that happened long ago.
About a hundred years ago, well, I guess it was about 28 years, I messed up in my marriage. My wife wanted a divorce and fortunately there were no children yet. I was clearly the offender and the pastor called to say the elders wanted me to come to the church and meet with them. My response: "Who do they think they are? I don't have to answer to them. They are no better than me. They are not in any position to judge me. NO, I WILL NOT!"
What do you think the elders did? (Yes, I met with the pastor and two more and that didn't help.) Then, they called a good friend of mine. Not only a friend, but a friend who, years before, had gone before the elders in discipline. He came to my house and spoke as my friend. He told me what would happen when I met with them and that they were seeking to reconcile me to my wife, to the church and to God. He spoke in friendly words without trying to whitewash my sins. After much talk and hugs and tears I agreed to meet with the elders. They helped to bring about the reconciliation. Years later, I would be one of the elders who would be trying to restore others.
That is how a ministry of reconciliation is conducted.
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