This has been one of those weeks. You know, the kind of week that hits you out of nowhere... but has a resounding theme. The theme this week has been attacks against pastors that cause upheaval and division in God's Church. Some of the problems are self-inflicted and sinful, such as the pastor in Hartsville who was arrested for drunk driving or the pastor in Bishopville who was arrested for exposing himself. But, most of the problems are inflicted by self-seeking church members, staff and/or deacons.
This week, I heard about a pastor in Florence, SC that was forced out by a disgruntled staff member and personnel committee after 27 years of faithful service. I also heard about a pastor in Florida being forced out by a disgruntled staff member and deacons, after almost 30 years of faithful service. Sadly, in the last month, I've heard other very similar stories stretching from FL, NC, SC, TN, and TX. Every conversation included similar elements: lazy ministerial staff, employee dissatisfaction, opposition to accountability, a willingness to make false allegations, power struggles between the pastor and deacons, and a church bully (usually a strong a deacon or elder that everyone was afraid to stand up to).
My friend, Dr. Ron Long at Luther Rice Seminary, tells me that he deals with at least 3 calls per week from pastors facing church division, personal discouragement, or forced resignations each week! It appears that the Church is no longer focused on doing battle against the principalities and powers of this world; but instead is choosing to attack itself and is imploding due to internal conflicts. We have forgotten who the true enemy is -- it's Satan his forces! Sadly, the church has lost focus and is waging war against itself. Cancer is caused by abnormal or rogue cells that multiply and attack the physical body. Those rogue cells must be removed and destroyed, or the body will be. The Church better learn a lesson from the fight against cancer, before rogue staff/members/deacons multiply at an abnormal rate and destroy the Body of Christ! Without radical treatment, the Church will die!In fact, many are dying and many are closing their doors.
Search the web and you will find statistics stating that 1,500-1,700 pastors are leaving the ministry each month. Those numbers may be off slightly, but almost every study/survey seems to reveal the same data -- pastors are tired of church politics! They are tired of the attacks, rogue cells, and cancer within the Body of Christ. The enemy chuckles when a pastor falls into adultery or some other egregious sin; but the enemy laughs hysterically when a pastor is removed from ministry by "friendly fire" from within the church! Former missionaries state that while on the foreign field, they engaged in spiritual warfare with those outside the church; but in the USA, they do battle with those inside the church.
Just as football teams review game film of their upcoming opponent, the Church better review the tactics Satan is using. Remember Ephesians 6:10-13 - "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,[c] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
Thom Rainer must be observing similar issues pertaining to Church Bullies. Read his blog posts below for further insight and understanding. Take time to read the comments, too.
- The Painful Reality of Church Bullies
- 5 Dangers of the Church Cartel
- Autopsy of a Deceased Pastor
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