FOLLOW THE LEADER
Read 1 Corinthians Chapters 1 – 3
Now I say this, that each of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ." Is Christ divided? 1 Corinthians 1:12-13a NKJV
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The church at Corinth had several gifted teachers, each with his own style of ministry. The new converts were lining up contentiously behind their favorite leaders, causing division in the church. Paul writes, “Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.” (3:5-6) He urges them to come together in unity and benefit from all God has given saying, “Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. (3:8)
It is human nature to get our eyes on men instead of God. Many a ministry has been hindered because of this wrong focus. Paul reminds them and us, Therefore let no one boast in men. For all things are yours… And you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. (3:21, 23)
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Lord, keep us from being critical of leaders who are doing Your work, but not in the way we would choose. Help us to be gracious and thankful that we have so many resources available to us. Above all, help us to build faithfully on the foundation of Your Word.
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For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 NKJV 
Comments
The encouragement we receive from reading through the Word is that the things we face in our lives today are nothing new. Many of the New Testament letters deal with the human problems in the churches.
Even Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement about taking Mark along on their missionary journey and ended up dividing and going their separate ways. But God used them both to spread the Gospel. Later, Mark, grew in the Lord and went on to write the book of Mark, and to be an encouragement to Paul.
Church divisions are always hurtful and some use them as an excuse to stop going to church. Hopefully we can mature to a point to continue to seek God's leading in our lives and not give up fellowship with other believers.