Listers,

There is something dangerous. Want to know what it is? It is cliques. *Clique* is a word that describes the situation when some people band themselves together and usually look down on the others. There are lists where cliques are readily recognized. Cliques also develop in Churches. These may even happen in the physical family, especially when the glue melts (the Mother dies.)

What is wrong with cliques? A clique in any group is divisive. A clique leaves some people out..making them feel unimportant, sometimes even useless. Anyone who studies the scriptures know this is sinful, that this is not God's way.

I am not speaking here of having close friendship with another (S). But ISTM that friendship should be left OUTSIDE the group, whether it be an email list or *in Church.* The book of James has much to say about this.

For much of my early training I will be forever thankful. My dad preached all my life (and his.) We were never allowed to have a party without inviting all the kids from the group. I'm glad I learned that lesson early. Even though I had close friendships they were never brought into a group setting where a division was caused between *us* and *them*.

Just some thoughts I ponder. -- nib Nelta Brock http://members.xoom.com/atlen/

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

Answers

Nelta,

I disagree. Of course there were what you call cliques in the bible, though I would not call them a clique. Even Jesus had his own special group of menthe Apostles, and within that group there were a special three. Exclusion goes on all the time and for various reasons. When Matthias was chosen, guidelines had to be met, those guidelines excluded others. A grouping of people (that may of necessity exclude others) does not have to mean that group will look down on others.

I would not say that the apostles were a divisive group. Now others may have felt left out and maybe they felt unimportant or useless, but never the less we still had the 12.

If a certain group is being sinful in its treatment of others, then yes that is not Gods way. The group in and of itself just because it exists is not sinful. Christianity is exclusive wouldnt you say? Would you call Christianity a Clique?

I do not understand how you can say: But ISTM that friendship should be left OUTSIDE the group, whether it be an email list or *in Church.*.

Lets see what Jesus says in John 15:13-14 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. Jesus did not leave friendship out of the body!

Jesus also says in Luke 14:7-10; When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, 'Give this man your seat.' Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, 'Friend, move up to a better place.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. Boy, I am sure the others felt left out and unimportant here!

Or how about this one? John 13:23-25 One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him. Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means." Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" Look what was written about this disciplethe disciple whom Jesus loved. Wow! Now this that was written about this man could have even made others fell less loved by Jesus himself.

If the following had happened in our day, would you have called it a clique, and said it was sinful??

Matt 17:1 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

Matt 26:37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Mark 5:37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

Mark 3:14 He appointed twelve-- designating them apostles-- that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach

1 Cor 12:27-30 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?

We are all one body, but we are not all the same. We should not use our talent or gift as you say to look down on others. We should not lord it over others, or treat them badly. But again The group in and of itself just because it exists is not sinful!

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000