When Good People Disagree

Lead Pastor, Scott Harris, begins by using a lighthearted survey comparing Mac and PC users to introduce the theme of disagreement. He explains how Steve Jobs and Bill Gates, once collaborators, became rivals, yet both profoundly shaped the world, eventually reconciling and reflecting positively on their shared legacy. This analogy leads into Acts 15:36–41, where Paul and Barnabas, two great leaders of the early church, sharply disagree about whether to bring John Mark on their next missionary journey. Barnabas wanted to give John Mark another chance, while Paul opposed the idea because Mark had abandoned them earlier. Their disagreement was so strong that they parted ways—Barnabas taking Mark to Cyprus and Paul choosing Silas for the journey. Despite the conflict, the gospel spread further as two missionary teams were formed instead of one. The passage highlights that both men remained faithful servants of God, and scripture does not label either as the villain. Instead, the story offers lessons on handling conflict among believers, recognizing strengths and weaknesses in others, and allowing God to work even through sharp disagreements. Scott encourages listeners to see this as a practical lesson for their own lives, especially as the season shifts and routines reset, providing an opportunity to evaluate how we handle disagreements, encouragement, and ministry.