We were all at the top of the steep hill that looked down upon the White River that flows through Central Indiana. My mother had already explicitly warned me to stay away from the water. Despite that, I found myself with a group of girls with whom I rode my bike every day, deciding to have a bicycle race down the very steep hill that led to the river. We all started simultaneously; however, unbeknownst to me, we were not all starting from the same point. I was on a steeper part of the hill than the others. So, as we proceeded down the hill at full velocity, I was forcefully thrown off my bike to the ground. My body went in one direction as my bike went in another. As the group of girls helped me up, I realized my shoulder was in excruciating pain, limp, and hanging out of joint. My right arm and shoulder were incapacitated. However, I could not seek medical attention since I could not tell my parents. I was disobedient and rode my bike in an area my mother had communicated to me as off-limits. My mother had established a guideline for me regarding my well-being and safety, which I did not follow, resulting in negative consequences.
BOUNDARIES ARE WRITTEN IN THE BIBLE!
In Genesis 2:17, God set a boundary for Adam to adhere to, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Eve also was fully aware and understood the same boundary, And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. Adam and Eve’s disobedience to a boundary set by God also resulted in several negative consequences that continue to impact humanity today (Genesis 3).
These boundaries may not always be clearly defined, tangible, or visible. Nevertheless, we must be aware of and comply with them. Church leadership may dictate boundaries as “because I said so,” just as God communicated the boundary requirement with Adam and Eve. However, some boundaries are clearly stated or provided as written rules. Regardless of how established, just like laws, we must adhere to the rules that are in place in a church environment.
What do boundaries look like in a church environment? For instance, the delineation of church boundaries can be represented in the following manner:
- Privacy and respect for personal belongings.
- Personal information such as demographic information.
- Sensitive and private information (confessions and financial information).
- Designated building locations such as restricted access areas.
- Tangible items such as equipment.
Just as my mother set a boundary for my well-being and safety, church rules and limitations are established for natural and spiritual purposes. Other boundaries provide safety and protect assets and information. As a church professional, it is essential to comprehend the boundaries within a church environment and adhere strictly to these established limits and guidelines. Let’s remember that church professionalism requires unwavering regard and respect for church-related boundaries.
