Thomas Smyth, long-time pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Charleston, South Carolina, during the 19th Century, gave several practical directions in a manual for the members of his congregation (found in Volume 5 of his Complete Works).

The following are twelve rules for promoting harmony among church members. These appear to have been taken out of William Plumer‘s Manual for Church Members. I have taken the liberty to contemporize some of the language, believing these timeless premises are things every church needs to hear and to be periodically reminded:

1. Remember that we are all subject to failings and infirmities, of one kind or another. (Matthew 7.1-5, Romans 2.21-23)

2. Bear with each other, and do not magnify each other’s weaknesses and short-comings. (Galatians 6.1)

3. Pray for one another when we are gathered together; and even more particularly when we are by ourselves, alone, and in private. (James 5.16)

4. Avoid going from house to house, for the purpose of hearing “news” (i.e. “gossip”), and [avoid] interfering with other people’s business. (Leviticus 19.16)

5. Always to turn a deaf ear to any slanderous report, and allow no accusation to be brought against any person unless and until it is well-founded AND proved. (Proverbs 25.23)

6. If another church member is at fault, tell him/her of it in private, before it is mentioned to others. (Matthew 18.15)

7. Watch against avoiding one another (after some seeming offense or awkward encounter) and put the best interpretation on any action that could appear as opposition or [that could] cause resentment. (Proverbs 10.12)

8. Observe the just rule of Solomon: that is: to… “leave off contention before it is meddled with”. (Prov. 17.14)

9. If a member has offended, consider how glorious, how God-like it is to forgive, and how unlike a Christian it is to seek revenge – or even to hold a grudge. (Ephesians 4.2)

10. Remember that it is always a grand strategy of the Devil to promote distance and animosity among members of Churches. We should, therefore, watch against everything that furthers his end. (James 3.16)

11. Consider how much more good we can do in the world at large, and in the Church in particular, when we are all united in love, than we can do when acting alone, and indulging a contrary spirit. (John 13.35)

12. Lastly, consider the express injunction of Scripture, and the beautiful example of Christ, as to the importance of things. (Ephesians 4.32, 1 Peter 2.21, John13.5, 35)

For further reading on this topic, check out Love Or Die: Christ’s Wakeup Call to the Church by Alexander Strauch