Truth Magazine subtitle: (February, 2024 | No. 2 | Vol. 68) author: Edited by Mark Mayberry

date: 2/1/2024

MEDITATIONS: Cliquishness

By Kyle Pope

Synopsis: Christians should demonstrate an openness to all who are willing to come to faith in Christ, but far too often, we isolate ourselves to only those with whom we feel comfortable. How can Christians avoid the problem of cliquishness?

Introduction

A common criticism leveled against congregations by visitors, new members, or even those who have become dissatisfied with their identification with a particular local church is the charge that it practices "cliquishness." A clique is "a small, exclusive group of friends or associates" (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language). The word clique is a French word that can refer to a "set," a "gang," or "party," but it is derived from the Old French verb cliquer meaning "to click, make a noise" (The Concise Dictionary of English Etymology). This word is what grammarians call an onomatopoeia---i.e. a word that sounds like what it means. The clicking and noise of a group of people chattering is imitated in the name of the group---it is a clique. This image is still seen in its modern French usage in the fact that a drum or bugle band can be called a clique.

The reason the charge of "cliquishness" is leveled at churches has less to do with the sound the group makes than it does its treatment of others. Those outside of a clique can feel as if they are excluded or unwelcomed into a group that isolates itself. When there are various cliques, competition may develop between people who don't get along with each other in order to secure the loyalty of others to their clique before another group "gets them." This kind of social tug-of-war happens regularly among school children, but sadly, far too many congregations of God's people have fallen victim to the same pettiness that is seen on an elementary school playground.

Scripture doesn't use any equivalent of the word clique, but it addresses the problem of cliquishness. In rebuking the Corinthians for their divisiveness as one group among them would say "I am of Paul," while another said, "I am of Apollos" (1 Cor. 1:12), Paul asked "Is Christ divided?" (1 Cor. 1:13). The relationship of those in Christ is to be a unique bond. In the Lord's church, age, race, social class, nationality, or any of the other things that normally divide people should disappear. In Christ, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). The Holy Spirit commands Christians not to show "partiality" (NKJV), "personal favoritism" (NASB), or "respect of persons" (Jas. 2:1, KJV), even offering an example of how this could be done toward one who visits an assembly (Jas. 2:2-3). To act with favoritism is to act as "judges with evil thoughts" (Jas. 2:4) and to "commit sin" (Jas. 2:9). Instead, in the church, "there should be no schism in the body," instead "the members should have the same care for one another" (1 Cor. 12:25). How can Christians avoid the perception of cliquishness?

1. Reach Out to Others.

All of us are naturally drawn to those with whom it is easy for us to talk or to those who share our interests and personalities. In the church, however, our bond must transcend these mere material concerns. There will be plenty of time to get together with friends and talk to those to whom we feel close, but as you visit with your friends or family, ask yourself---"have I spoken to anyone today with whom I have not spoken in a while?" Look around and see who is standing alone. Are there those who don't seem to fit in? Have you spoken to a visitor or a new member recently? What about that older person? What about the young? Break those generational barriers and go talk to them! Are there those who don't have someone talking to them? Don't just take the easy course and talk to the same people you always talk to---reach out and let someone you haven't spoken to as often know you are interested in him.

2. Don't Be Exclusive.

I know of a congregation who once had some members request that the elders offer a class in a particular way. The elders did so, but a little differently than had been requested. Dissatisfied with that, the members hosted their own exclusive study (by invitation only) but did not invite any of the elders or their family. That not only showed a lack of respect for the eldership, but it contributed to the perception that the congregation was cliquish. Certainly, few members have homes large enough to host all members of a congregation, but parties, social functions, or even Bible studies that involve some members while excluding others are naturally prone to make some people feel isolated and unwelcomed.

3. Be Friendly.

Solomon admonished, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly" (Prov. 18:24, NKJV). The Jewish commentator A. Cohen explains that the Hebrew phrase "must himself be friendly," is derived from two roots with virtually the same meaning: (1) "to act as companions one to another" or (2) "to break one another" (Socino Books of the Bible: Proverbs, 123). Before the twentieth century, most translators understood this proverb in the first sense---"to be friendly." Since the translation of the American Standard Version (1901) most modern translations take this in the second sense "a man of many companions may come to ruin" (ESV). Both translations are true to the context and grammar of the passage.

Conclusion

As a preacher, I have tried over the years to avoid any perception that I am cliquish. I usually try to visit with everyone a little bit and avoid talking for long periods of time with any one person or group. If I am not careful, this could leave the unintended impression that I am distant or unapproachable. That's not what I want to communicate either! When people feel isolated, it may be because others have been cliquish, or it may be because they have been unwilling to be friendly to others. If we act unwilling to talk to others, if we leave the building as soon as the closing prayer is over, if we show no interest in the lives of others, we might well isolate ourselves.

As brothers and sisters in Christ, we must be "kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love" (Rom. 12:10). If there are ways we have failed to do this in the past, let's commit ourselves to demonstrate this loving spirit from this day forward.

Author Bio

Kyle Pope preaches for the Vestavia church of Christ in Vestavia Hills, AL. He has written several books published by Truth Publications. Go here for more information. The church website is here. He can be reached here.