cliques

[peachykeen]

what do you guys think about cliques (exclusive groups of friends) I mean, even as christians we can be clicky sometimes (like at church or school or work), even by being on this website we kind of exclude all non-christians or lukewarm christians, don't we?  just wondering.....

[nChrist]

Oklahoma Howdy to peachykeen,

I think there may be much more involved with your question than you realize. My thoughts were in a different direction when I saw this.

Earthly friendships and relationships are usually built over a period of time with trust and probably mutual interests. A Christian's fellowship with Jesus is built over a period of time by the believer studying His Holy Word, seeking the will of God, and yielding to what God wants for us in our lives. If the believer continues in this pursuit, the fellowship with Jesus becomes stronger and stronger. The Christian is built up and strengthened in his or her faith and benefits more and more with a closer fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Earthly relationships and friendships have some comparisons, but mankind always fails sooner or later. Jesus never fails. Earthly friendships between brothers and sisters in Christ are easier and quicker to develop because of a common trust in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. However, it should be obvious that we will never trust a person like we do Jesus.

In Christ,
Tom

[Sapphire W34P0N]

Cliques aren't wrong until we exclude everyone else from them. It's when we become so closed to everyone else that it begins to hurt us.

[Tibby]

Clique’s are normally groups of like-mind people. People with the same interest. Sports groups can be cliques. The football player, the baseball players, the soccer players, they hang out with the rest of the team. This is important, they need to know and understand each other, and trust each other, so we can play as a team. At church, a core group can be important. The pastor need a group of people he knows will not flake when the going gets tough. He needs a group of people, who are part of the flock, but who he can count on.

But this can turn bad very fast. Those Football stars and JUST hang out with football stars, ignoring their none athletic friends, their parents, their girlfriend, their school work, and even College. Next thing these guys know, they are 35, overweight, and working at Taco Bell, taking orders from a 10th grader who think he owns the world because he is the head chief spicy gordita maker. That core group in the church, it can become less of a group and more of a mafia, and run the church like Little Italy. To bad there are no offers the creator of the Heavens and Earth can’t refuse.

Clique’s can be good, your little core group of friends.  Jesus had his boys, the 12 Disciples. Sure, he had more then 12 disciples. Countless people followed him, some of which we might have never even read about. But we talk most about the 12. Why? Because it was his clique, the guys who could count on him and who he could count on.  

[Heidi]

I think it depends on the motive of the people in the clique. If the motive is for exclusivity, then it only re-enforces ignorance. But if the motive is to hang out with like-minded people, then it can always be open to other people joining.

[peachykeen]

You guys all make awesome points.  I expecially love Tibby's Taco Bell example-lol.  I agree with what you guys are saying, but I also realize that its really easy to exclude someone without realizing it.  I think the word itself has been worked up to where it sounds bad when we call our friends a "clique."  thanks for the insight!

[Tamara]

A clique isn't nice.  I have seen this too often and they make me feel most uncomfortable.  It's as though everyone goes off in their own little groups and you are left on your own wondering what it's all about.  They remind me of " The Exclusive Brethren"  you can't get near them!  To me, they can be downright ignorant.  They certainly don't display the Fruit of Love!  That's why I find it right to include everyone where I am, with nobody left out.  And, if I see someone on their own...that's the one I will head for every time.

Tamara.

[Sapphire W34P0N]

That's kind of a stereotype, because not all cliques are the way you say they are. Unfortunately, too many times cliques DO become closed to everyone else, and that can definitely be unhealthy. If you have a close group of Christian friends, though, it can certaintly help to build you up in the Spirit.

[ollie]

Oklahoma Howdy to peachykeen,

I think there may be much more involved with your question than you realize. My thoughts were in a different direction when I saw this.

Earthly friendships and relationships are usually built over a period of time with trust and probably mutual interests. A Christian's fellowship with Jesus is built over a period of time by the believer studying His Holy Word, seeking the will of God, and yielding to what God wants for us in our lives. If the believer continues in this pursuit, the fellowship with Jesus becomes stronger and stronger. The Christian is built up and strengthened in his or her faith and benefits more and more with a closer fellowship with Jesus Christ.

Earthly relationships and friendships have some comparisons, but mankind always fails sooner or later. Jesus never fails. Earthly friendships between brothers and sisters in Christ are easier and quicker to develop because of a common trust in our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. However, it should be obvious that we will never trust a person like we do Jesus.

In Christ,
Tom

Thank you for this very uplifting wisdom. Your reply is very good. God's love is in it.

[ollie]

what do you guys think about cliques (exclusive groups of friends) I mean, even as christians we can be clicky sometimes (like at church or school or work), even by being on this website we kind of exclude all non-christians or lukewarm christians, don't we?  just wondering.....

Clicks are a worldy thing and one of the many things of the world that one as a Christian should be called away from by the Gospel of Jesus Christ  

[Ambassador4Christ]

I am in Benny Hinns clique

[ollie]

I am in Benny Hinns clique

[Sapphire W34P0N]

Clicks are a worldy thing and one of the many things of the world that one as a Christian should be called away from by the Gospel of Jesus Christ  

How are we "called away from" cliques?

[Tamara]

Father calls you away if you are in harmony with Him.  He knows what is best for us, and often, cliques can do more damage to your soul than good.  Cliques are an exclusive group of friends who exclude others on purpose.  Is this right in the eyes of Father?

Love...Tamara.

[Tibby]

Oh, I don’t know. Seem to me Christianity is a clique. If you are not with us, you are against us, if you aren’t saved, you are going to Hell.

Cliques are groups of friends. You sound kind of like a lone wolf, to me. Have you had any bad experiences with cliques? Any that would put a bad taste on your mouth for them?