“Karen’s Notes!
Insights from a Glory-Bound Lady”

Selected Notes
Volume 8 Number 11, “Absolutely No Cliques!”
The Joy of Belonging

Post # 359 March 12th, 2025

This would be a subject that was dear to my Karen. She was invited to speak at a conference where she was to develop a message to the ladies on the subject of belonging without being cliquish. I won’t tell you where this was to take place, but as you can see, a problem had occurred in a particular ministry. Slowly but surely a clique had developed. Some of the ladies who were new to the church were finding it difficult to fit in. Frankly, they didn’t feel very welcomed to tell you the truth. What a challenge as a guest speaker to come in and address such a situation.

Needless to say, she and I prayed a lot about this meeting. I am only going to take some very brief snippets from the lengthy workshop she presented. Think of the joy that we believers, men and women, have because we “belong”! Let me share the verse with which she began and then what she wrote.

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Karen wrote: In all the people who are represented today, I am once again reminded of the importance of belonging. Some of your family may enjoy belonging to a sports team, drama club, a particular Sunday school class, maybe even a ladies’ fellowship.

However, there is a far greater joy. That greater joy is belonging to Christ and being part of His family. Think of the words “I have redeemed thee, thou art mine!” Oh the blessing of belonging to Jesus!

Just a closing thought or two from Michael: In our ministries, Karen and I were so constantly aware that the local church must never be cliquish. It is easy to sit only with those we know and love. It is easy to fellowship with those we know and love.

We who know Christ are all part of the wonderful family of the Lord. Each believer is of equal worth to the Lord and equally loved by Him. Be watching for newcomers and those that don’t seem to be among the “popular folks”! It is great indeed to belong to the family!