The Peace Whisperer
Helping people find
calm in the chaos
and
serenity in the storm
Part Two
So you’ve been daydreaming about leaving your church and finding a new ministry position?
Please read the first part of this series for some encouragement. I’ve been there and I truly understand. If you’re ready to armor up (Ephesians 6: 10-18) and stand and fight for the vision God gave you for your place, then this article is for you. This is just some stuff Ken, and I learned the hard way that might help you.
Expect Opposition
God is always doing something new. He wants to work through you. For God to do something new, Satan will be forced to give up territory where he has had power and influence. Working with God to redeem and take back things that Satan has stolen or destroyed (souls, churches, cities, and countries) will put you under heavy enemy fire.
Reread the front end of the book of Nehemiah for encouragement. It's a great example of strong leadership and courage amidst opposition. Like Nehemiah and Ken and I, and thousands of other pastors, you might experience some pretty demonic, hateful behavior. Don’t be surprised by it or take it personally.
Don’t Work Harder. Work Smarter
For believers, this means spending MORE time with God before you increase your time spent in ministry. He will give you strategies and insights that will make your hours far more effective and profitable. “
God’s plans and visions are better than your imagination.
Don’t quit on something when it doesn’t seem to be going the way you imagined it would. God is not bound by your ideas. “
Don’t run from division and strife.
Meet it head on and deal with it Biblically.
Key verses: Titus 1:10-11 and 15-16, Titus 3:10, Matthew 18:15-20,
Too many churches, families and organizations are held hostage by divisive people. In churches they criticize the leadership, often making the pastors their biggest targets. Sometimes they frame what they say in spiritual gobbledygook that makes them sound like the voice of reason and spiritual maturity. Other times they are straight up goofballs that are loose cannons in your congregation. Either way, they must be dealt with scripturally, not placated or ignored.
God has chosen you and your spouse to serve in that church, even though he used humans to bring you there. You are HIS under shepherd, and he expects you to handle your part of the flock as he himself would. The verses above are only a few concerning church discipline. In short:
Gossip, division, immorality and rebellion must be dealt with swiftly. These sins cause serious damage when left unchecked. Sometimes irreparable damage. So use whatever church structure you have in place whether it’s through your board of elders or deacons or through your pastoral staff and invite the offender in for a meeting to discuss their concerns. Your goal is not to “set them straight” but to turn an adversary into an advocate, if possible. It’s not always possible but you need to try.
Do not verbally assault your difficult person ever. Speak truth with grace as Jesus did. Lovingly confront them about their sinful talk and behavior with a witness, never by yourself. Go in with an understanding that often ugly behavior has its roots in their private lives and pains. Ask them why? Where is this behavior coming from? Is there something you’ve done to offend them for which you need to apologize and ask forgiveness? Why do they think what you are doing or saying as the pastor is wrong? You may be at fault here also. Own your part even if it’s just 3% of the greater problem. OWN IT!
If they are involved in immoral behavior, they must repent. They must also seek reconciliation with all those damaged by it.
People will not always turn from sin. They may refuse to acknowledge any wrongdoing at all. Sadly, at this point, you will need to invite them to seek a church fellowship elsewhere where they can respect the leadership and submit to them. This sounds harsh but that is what scripture teaches. They cannot remain as part of your congregation. If they cannot respect your leadership, they need to go somewhere where they can.
This is a very brief overview of church discipline. I’ll be writing a more detailed article in the future, but the point remains the same; you cannot allow sinful behavior to chase you away from your calling. Stand and fight until God leads you elsewhere.
Pastors who stay put for decades are usually courageous and more conscious of pleasing God rather than pleasing people.
They have learned that people are people wherever you go. Every church has its troubles no matter how successful and peaceful they make look from the outside.
Also remember that God will use the challenges and difficult people of your church to shape YOU! Some of the most profound changes in my character and behavior came through the most painful experiences of people coming against me.
I promise that if you run away, like Jonah did, it will not go well for you either. Enjoy the other articles on this page that can help you thrive even in the most challenging circumstances. If God did it for me, he will do it for you!