I serve on the Church Council of my parish. And yes, I have heard some unfortunate conversations and statements (although not often).
I hold this in tension. On the one hand, EVERYONE in the church is a sinner (and they admit it at the beginning of every single worship service, every single week). What do sinners tend to do? Yup, sin. We shouldn't be TOO shocked by that. And it's good to remember that we too are sinners. I TRY to listen.... as a brother in Christ, a fellow sinner redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb..... and not take things personally (although it MAY be so intended, lol). We are brothers and sisters, living and serving together in this fallen world, people who will be sharing all eternity together. On the other hand, this must not infuse the parish and family.... we must not permit it to detour us from our Mission.... we must not return in kind.... and at some point (probably NOT when they are mad!) help each other grow in Christ (me most of all).
My dad says there are just two kinds of people in the world: Those who constantly look for greener grass and those working to make the grass greener.
My half cent.
Pax Christi
- Josiah