when the bride of CHRIST doesn't act like the birde of CHRIST

my church is going through some rough times right now. the whole thing started out with a legitimate disagreement on how the school and church should work together. one group of people had one view and another group held another view which our pastor holds. personally, i don't have a problem with members of the church disagreeing with each other. actually i usually think that dialogue over disagreements is a good thing - it helps us to figure out what to do and how to do it.

the problem with this disagreement is that it became personal very quickly. we now have people who are willing to do whatever is necessary for their side to "win." anonymous emails and letters are being mailed to church members, rumors are being spread about my pastor's family, the newspaper and television stations have been called, and various other dumb things are now going on. it's all very stupid. just the sort of things that members of CHRIST's bride should be involved in. right?

my pastor and his family are the ones being hurt now. he is a genuine servant (unfortuneately a rarity in the world of pastors) and a very honest, transparent, open guy. i love him and can't stand seeing him hurt. i really don't think the original disagreement has anything to do with what people are doing to him now. i believe that now it's all about hurting him and winning. it's all pretty evil.