For goodness sake...

For goodness sake…can’t the church be more gracious to their pastors?

I talked with a couple friends last week that shared similiar heartaches. One is a layman and the other is a pastor. Both were struggling with men within the church that were trying to undermine the lead pastor.

When people within the church rise up and try and subtly take out their lead pastor what would God have you to do? I must admit each situation must be considered on a case by case scenerio. Sometimes a pastor is given too much grace for way too long to the detriment of a local body. But more often Diotrephes’ are allowed to run unchecked.

One would hope that in moments like this a fellow elder or deacon would step in and defend the truth and God’s servant of the truth. Sadly, I have heard of too many instances when this does not happen. A Pastor is left defenseless as his congregation and his leadership team stand aloof.
No godly Pastor wants to take up his own cause and risk the perception of being viewed as prideful or being perceived as a ‘personal kingdom builder type’. Sometimes good men are led by God to take “the high ground.” They’re forced out of the church without a new ministry opportunity to go to. They choose not to have another round of debates within their leadership circle. They just quietly leave, in fear of another Christ dishonoring church-split taking place within a particular community.

Other times godly men are led by God to humbly raise some questions with reference to their own ministries. I think of Paul’s own example in 2 Corinthians 10-12.
The sad thing in all these cases is that Pastors are forced to make a decision in matters they never should have to agonize over. This is where i believe sanctified and mature congregation members and especially elders and deacons should step in and intervene on behalf of their pastors. In the words of Rob Wilkerson, “These are the kind of friends who are loyal to him (the pastor) because of their belief in the hand of God in their pastor’s life. This was the case with at least some of those who were Saul’s companions, 1 Sam 10:26-27.”

If some within the Corinthian church would have done this imagine what the book of 2 Corinthians might have read like?

I am qualified to write this post because by God’s grace I’m not speaking to my own situation. I grieve however when i hear about fellow ministers of the gospel being forced into situations when they must choose between either defending themselves and their ministries or picking up their Bibles and going somewhere else. It’s in this context i ask: For goodness sake, can’t the church be gracious to their pastors?