Ordination Sermon

I had the opportunity last Sunday to take part in an ordination service at the church where I began my ministry, 10 years ago. I was sixteen at the time and God had just called me into ministry, and then opened the door to go to Meadowbrook. I had been back once or twice since I left about 5 years ago. I love the people there with all my heart. Many of the people are the same, although many great saints have gone on to be with the Lord. It was interesting because, I thought that I was coming to take part in the service, but somehow the church thought I was coming to bring the key note message. Whoops! All I can say is that miscommunication happens. I once read that 80 percent of all conflict comes from miscommunication. The other 20 percent of conflict just comes from mean people. Now obviously the situation that I have described did not create conflict, but it could have if the people involved had not been submitted to God, and to each other. Ultimately I found out in enough time to look over some key scripture passages, and all went well. To protect the unity of the church, as believers we must be intentional about the way that we communicate, and as a listener we must be committed to seeking out the true intentions of a statement, so as to avoid miscommunication and the conflict that sometimes rises out of miscommunication.