The grapevine was very affective at spreading the latest news: death notices, event notices, etc. But, it was also used to spread the latest gossip in the Church. Sometimes the news in this gossip was factual; at times it was speculative and at times it could be full outright untruths (lies).
One thing I noticed that was different then (from now) was that you could not get away with "downing" another person's church. The latest news could be talked about; but do talk about another person's church (or their pastor) would be an instant argument. The kids as well as the adults were like this.
I remember a fight almost breaking out at Lincoln High School (where I graduated from). A prominent Baptist pastor had shut down a Pentecostal minister (in a service), who was preaching, because the man had gone over his time limit. This became a heated discussion at school.
One student said, "I know in the Pentecostal Church you all let the Lord have His way (sarcastically), but over here in the Baptist Church we have order; and the pastor was keeping order." Then the Pentecostal students said something derogatory about the pastor and the fight (not physical) was on. The Pentecostals students were not going to allow anyone to "down" their Church. And, the Baptist students were not going to allow anyone to down their pastor. Now, people will sit back and watch their Church and leaders drug through "the mud," will say nothing and even join in on the "mud slinging." My brothers and sisters; such things should not be!
Whether you are Full Gospel Baptist, African Methodist Episcopal, Church Of God In Christ, Non-Denominational, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Assemblies of God, Church Of God, National Baptist, etc., etc., etc., do not allow anyone to run down your local church, pastors, national organization. No - it would not be right to get in a fight. But, it is easy to say, "this is my Church and I will not be a part of a discussion in running it down." There are PLENTY of conversations that I have had to be very kind but firm and bring to a close. After while, people begin to respect you and know not to come to you with a lot of garbage.
I hear many people say, "why are folks always coming to me with things," as if it is some kind of badge of honor. My brother or sister, it is not a badge of honor. It often means that you are a "messy" individual and people know who to bring the latest to; because you will entertain and spread it. The Scriptures below will show you that it is not a badge of honor.
First, if you cannot be a part of a Church and under a leader that you can respect; you should move and go to a Church, where you can respect the man or woman of God. Second, if there are some bad quality traits about your Church and leadership; what good is coming out of you spreading it all over creation. What is the purpose? What is the motive? Other than being messy. Third, church organizations should be like a family. We may be able to fight amongst ourselves regarding disagreements; but it is absolutely wrong to take that outside of the church family and involve other people that have nothing to do with it.
There's a secular song, I remember from when I was in elementary school, that would be good to apply to church folks, "You talk too much; you never shut up." Here's what the Bible says about the matter (look especially at Romans 1:29-32):
Proverbs 16:28. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
Proverbs 20:19. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
Proverbs 26:20. For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
Leviticus 19:16. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord.
1 Timothy 5:13. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.
Proverbs 6:16-19. There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
2 Corinthians 12:20. For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
Exodus 23:1. “You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with a wicked man to be a malicious witness.
Psalm 34:13. Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.
James 4:11. Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.
Psalm 101:5. Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure.
Titus 3:2. To speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.
Exodus 20:16. “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
Matthew 12:36. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
Romans 1:29-32. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
