A church member approaches his preacher after morning worship, without as much as a flutter of his eyes he boldly says to his pastor, “You know the last 6 months or so you’re preaching has sucked!” Taken back the pastor can only mutter, “I’m sorry”. “And I might as well also tell you that I don’t like your story-telling either.” Catching his breath and feeling his temperature rise, the pastor addresses the man by name and comments, “I’ve been your pastor for the past several years, my style hasn’t changed!” “Well, preacher, don’t you think it’s about time it does? I’m not the only one who feels this way!” Of course he would punctuate his verbal assault by speaking for others who are to cowardly to do the same.
To make the above matter sadder is the fact that the pastor in question has been ill for the past six months and even undergone heart surgery. It doesn’t seem the church member hasn’t even considered that the pastor’s health may have affected his preaching, nor has he considered how difficult it will be for the preacher to take to the pulpit whilst wondering who else is against him.
In another place, another time, the senior pastor gently takes the hand of his Associate Pastor’s wife, “I’m concerned”, he begins. “I know your husband hasn’t been home much lately. I know he has been telling you that he is working, but I have got to tell you, I have not been asking him to work these long hours, he says he’s making calls for the church, but are you sure he isn’t doing something else, perhaps seeing someone else? “
Sadly the feigned concern is just one of many ploys the Senior Pastor would try to discourage the Associate who was in transition to take the Senior Pastor’s position. Having left secular work and cutting his income in half at the Senior Pastor’s urging in order to effect a six month transition to the Senior Pastor position; after a culmination of 13 years of faithful service to that church body, after turning down various other ministry options at the Senior’s Pastor’ urging, he is unaware that the pastor has changed his mind and has decided to turn his ministry over to his recently married son, who had previously been uninterested.
Fortunately for the associate pastor, his wife knows him better than the senior pastor assumes. She and her husband communicate regularly every day, she knows of his tireless efforts for the church.
A young couple are asked by their pastor to led a particular ministry, unsure that they can be successful in the endeavor, they nonetheless “step-out in-faith” at their Pastor’s urging. When the costly adventure fails, the pastor steps aside like a trained matador and places the blame on the sincere couple.
Sadly, “brothers and sisters in the church” turn on the couple, leaving tem wounded and effectively without a church family.
I wish these were isolated stories, the exception rather than the rule; however the institutional church can be a very dangerous place for people with caring hearts. The corporate church can be as ruthless and cutthroat as corporate America. Loyalties forgotten, lies are told, names are called, reputations are ruined and families are destroyed all for the “GOOD of the ministry” or a man’s ministry. Manipulation, lies, deceit, heartless attacks are all tools of Satan whether used by laity or clergy.Jesus left the 99 to reach out in love to the one lost sheep, too many involved in church today will easily slaughter one in order to pacify the 99. Such behavior should never be found with Christ’s name attached. Whatever we do, whatever our plans, goals, efforts or actions, anything we do for God ought to be permeated by and with the love of God; if they are not; they are worthless! Consider, Pastor, Churchgoer, professor of Christ;
1 Corinthians 13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long [and] is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether [there are] prophecies, they will fail; whether [there are] tongues, they will cease; whether [there is] knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these [is] love.
The greatest of these is love; Jesus doesn’t care how full your church is, how successful your programs are or how busy you are for Him if you do not love unconditionally as He loves us. Amen!
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