The rain is cold and very wet. It is also much needed. And, perhaps the cold and wet day has also dampened other things.
Hopefully I can be vague enough to not reveal identities and yet specific enough to speak to the issue. God himself knows that there are certainly enough examples, so protecting identities may not be all that difficult. But I heard it again today.
"It is probably best he leave the church." That statement has been uttered about men and women who (1) have failed; (2) who have alienated someone; (3) who have disagreed with leadership or someone who thinks they are a leader; (4) who are different; (5) who are hurting and having difficulty working through the hurt, the loss, and the faith questions raised; (6) etc., etc.
I intentionally ended on 6 because that is the number of man, and 666 is the number of the anti-Christ. I did that because I believe none of the above to be the biblical response.
I last heard the statement uttered about a pastor having some difficulty. I am aware that there are certain situations, especially in willful and unrepentant sin, where the church must discipline. That is indeed biblical. And, there are situations where a leader (whether staff or otherwise) may need to step aside for a period of time or even find other employment in order to refresh, heal, deal with issues, etc.
But "it is probably best he leave the church"??? For Christ's sake, what is the church for? No, not at all taking the name of the Lord in vain. Seriously...For Christ's sake! What is the church here for?
Again, I am not talking of one living in willful and unrepentant sin. I am speaking of those who find themselves in situations not of their choosing and having difficulty working through it. I am speaking of those who just don't fit. They may not be "cool, man!" Or maybe they don't answer to "Hey dude!" They may have different tastes in music, they may or may not reflect your favorite worship pose, raise hands, close eyes, or shake their heads. And if a woman, she just may not be able to wiggle her backside in beat with the latest 4/4 hot worship song.
Now for those of you just offended, unscrew your halo a notch and think. By the way, each of those are real examples encountered more than once.
One elderly friend of mine whom I regard as a true hero said to me a few years ago, "we are worse than I have ever seen us." He is right. It is very popular in some places for new member classes to require the signing of a document that you will (1) tithe (2) attend, and (3)not cause trouble. I've not seen an example of one that asks people to sign that they will be great parents, share the gospel on a regular basis, pray, etc. But we sure do want them to sit up, shut up, and ante up.
Just when someone needs the people of God most, it is best they leave! And we seriously are having conferences on why church attendance is declining in America? You've got to be kidding me!
This thing we call "church" is messy. It is dirty. The church is a light and all lights attract bugs. And some days, we are all a bug.
Galatians 6:1 says "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you are are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."
At what point will the church wake up and although it may have to make difficult leadership decisions or it may have to discipline members, it will not push people out but will say to them, "we love you enough to walk with you through this situation to the glory of God." When? Who?
I was reading in 1 Peter this morning. I highly recommend 1 Peter 3:8-4:11 in the NIV. I was reminded that my prayer life is connected to my attitude and behavior. A few years ago when our world had cratered we reached out to a couple. Instead of love, we got firehosed in a lecture that basically said, "Get over it!" I listened, then asked, "can you tell me how?" The answer? "I have no idea." The antithesis of Gal. 6:1. Well, we did get over it and we learned valuable lessons and the most important is that God is very, very faithful and our validation is from him, not people.
My pastor friend, I love you. This post has largely been related to how people in ministry are treated by others when they themselves have issues. But it was broadened to apply to other situations.
I quote an old E. Tennessee mountain preacher who said, "The reason most of these churches are so cold is because they have a polar bear in the pulpit." He was right. Let's us look in the mirror. Are we simply seeking to have trouble free congregations or are we about the ministry of Jesus? You ain't leadin' where you ain't been, dude! (See, I do know a few hip words).
I recommend something. Find a place of privacy, get on your knees, open your Bible to Psalm 51 and pray through it verse by verse. We often speak of preaching verse by verse. I also recommend praying verse by verse. Let God speak to you. Then go do what He speaks.
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