Fistfights in Church?

You may have read in the newspaper or seen on the local news that a church in Washington DC was having a congregational meeting, when emotions ran so high and the controversy was so great and contentious, that eventually some church members started slugging one another and eventually the police had to be called in.
Are you as shocked as I am? Are you as disappointed as I am?
Jesus prayed that the church might be ONE. He prayed that his disciples would get along and would care more about unity than about issues. Having our own way is not what Christian discipleship is about. Jesus said on more than one occasion, "Love one another." He even said, that people would know that we belonged to him by the way we love each other.
Now, we are all human, and it is hard sometimes to remember that we are to reflect and project the love of Christ in everything we do. That's in EVERYTHING we do. And this is especially true when it comes to what we do in the church and as the church.
Imagine the message the church sends to the community when even within its own body, there is fighting, angry disagreement, and fistfights.
Of course the Church (all of it) is not immune to controversy, disagreements and differences of opinion, or differences in the interpretation of scripture, or differences in discerning the will of God. But one thing is clear: We are to love each other, even when we disagree, and we are to always reflect the love of God, until we can sort out our differences.
That church in Washington may have been arguing over which pastor to hire, or whether to put a new roof on the church, or whether to begin a new ministry. But the attitudes and actions of the members were anything but Christian.
We, United Methodists are also going down the path of controversy and disagreement. In my opinion, it is an unresolvable difference of opinion. And to me, since that is the case, it is pointless to make the issue that final litmus test of one's Christianity.
As we prepare for General Conference, the quadrennial gathering of the church (in the spring of 2012) for the purpose of updating our Book of Discipline, there is another flurry of activity around a variety of issues that undoubtedly will occupy the time of the delegates as they deliberate and vote on these issues. One debate I am not willing to get sucked into is the whole discussion on homosexuality.
Everyone has their opinions, and there is no topic about which people have more tightly held perspectives. No one is willing to change their minds, so what is the point of talking. There is no right and wrong on this issue, and until we die and go to heaven, we will never really know what is "God's will"; though all of us think we already know it now.
The more important matter above all things, is unity, love, charity, compassion and caring for each other regardless of our stances, opinions or perspectives. The kingdom of heaven is about love, mercy, acceptance, caring, service to each other, personal sacrifice for the sake of others, and forgiveness. Our congregation, our denomination, and the whole of the Christian Church has to be mindful of its witness to the world, to those not yet aware of Jesus' saving love.
If you were unchurched, a non-believer, why would you want to join an organization that is constantly in a state of anger, accusation, and animosity. You wouldn't. Yet in the Great Commission, Jesus instructed all his disciples to go out and tell the world about the great LOVE of God which was demonstrated in his Son, Jesus. Jesus has not called us to argue, or rebuke each other over personal opinions. He has called us to restore peace, love and gentility to a world already too full of hate and strife. There is no place for fighting in the church.
Let us reflect the kingdom of heaven in all that we do and say, please.