The Profit of Prevarication

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Wednesday, May 20, 2015

You drink the milk, wear the wool, and butcher the best animals, but you let your flocks starve.  Ezekiel 34:3 ^(NLT)

God had Ezekiel write a blistering indictment of the religious leaders in Israel who were supposed to be shepherding the flock, but instead were using their position to get rich and powerful; all the while the people were wasting away in poverty and squalor.

It takes a robust sociopath to lie one’s way to the top of the heap – one who can promise much and deliver only to himself.

Adolph Hitler was a fine example of a prevaricator, a lying tongue that promised a silver lining for the poor, common folk.  His impassioned speeches were filled with false sympathy for the impoverished German citizens.  He had hidden plans.

In 1934 Germany only the well-off or powerful could afford an automobile.  Hitler gave a speech at an automobile show in light of what he was telling the German people he wanted to do for them: 

 “It can only be said with profound sadness that, in the present age of civilization, the ordinary hard-working citizen is still unable to afford a car, a means of up-to-date transport and a source of enjoyment in the leisure hours.”[2]

To be sure, Hitler looked like he was fulfilling his promises.  As proof of his benevolent leadership he approved design of the Volkswagen (literally:  the people’s car), and building of a superhighway system, the autobahn, so the average family could afford this modern mobility.  But not a single private German citizen got a vehicle, because once Hitler got complete control of the government, he turned production of the people’s cars into military vehicles of the war machine.

It’s hard to see a person’s motive.  It’s particularly tricky in church to even mention that, because we serve the one who said we ought not to judge others[3].

In the end, however, one way or another, leadership will be judged. 

Hitler had his comeuppance – eventually – and did what cowards do…he took the easy way out with a revolver.

For those of us charged (as I am) with caring for the souls of a part of God’s flock, we also will be judged for our conduct and faithfulness in ministry.  I take that seriously and fearfully; serving God is not to be approached casually or with personal gain in mind.

I can honestly say that most ministers I have ever met fall into that earnest, faithful and genuinely motivated category; faithful under-shepherds of the King.

Some have not.  (May God have mercy on their souls.)

For You Today

Here are a couple of questions with which you (as a follower of Jesus) should wrestle:

Do you trust your spiritual leader, your pastor? 

Do you trust God enough to leave the judging of your leader’s ministry…to God?

If you answered “yes” to both questions, you’re on solid Biblical ground.  Judgment and appropriate rewards or punishment are God’s prerogative.

If you answered “no” it may be time to answer a third question:

Who is running your church, God, or you?

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[1] Title image:  Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-H04560 / CC-BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons

[2] Hitler’s speech on March 3, 1934, at the Berlin International Automobile and Motor Cycle Show  Source: USDOT

[3] Matthew 7:1

"Nones" and "Dones" - Rejecting the Church

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Monday, March 2, 2015

Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.     Ephesians 4:15 (NLT)

New words pop-up when there’s a reason.  In the church the new words are “nones” (referring to those who did not have church as part of their upbringing), and “dones” (those who have had enough church and have left altogether).  There have always been both, but they were the exception, rather than the rule.  Today the words have become necessary because the percentage of nones and dones has risen along with the spirit of discontent in our culture.

There are perhaps as many “reasons” people reject the church as there are hairs on my head (maybe a few more!).  I would like to share with you today the growing list, in my head and heart, of responses to rejecting the church.  It is by no means an exhaustive list, but a beginning to a conversation I’m willing to have.

1.     Don’t reject the church to please anyone (especially your kids)

Scripture teaches adults to teach the children about God, his grace, forgiveness and love; it’s hard to do that when you reject the church God loves. 

2.     Don’t leave as a kneejerk-reaction to conflict

Often leaving the church is the out-working of a crisis of faith, and we are embarrassed to “stick around”.  Having your faith stretched to the breaking point is common for everyone; leaving, or rejecting your faith is a win in the enemy’s column.

3.     Don’t leave instead of working-through the issues

Speaking the truth in love means working-through whatever threatens to break the fellowship.  When you leave, or simply reject God’s family because issues are tough to resolve, you leave just as troubled as if you stayed – and the church is similarly troubled without your loving input.

And a final “do” instead of “don’t”:

4.     Do speak to the pastor early on (before you’ve made the decision to leave)

This may sound odd, but many times people make the decision to leave, and, if they decide to talk with the pastor at all, it is only to inform the pastor – usually on the way out the door on a Sunday morning.  This is most odd, as a pastor’s purpose is to help equip the flock to do the spiritual hard stuff of working-through the issues, and not just give-in to the pressure.  Yet, often the pastor is the last one to know – and it is almost always 100% too late to change a made-up mind.

Now, this is not all there is to the issues surrounding why people reject the church, “nones” or “dones” – but we have a starting point. 

I’d love to hear your input.

For You Today

If God has placed you in a church family, give thanks for that family, warts and all!

Be reluctant to leave, but rather, instead of rejecting the church, be receptive to God’s Spirit leading you how you may speak the truth in love and help the church grow up into Christ’s love toward each other and the community.

I need that!  We all need that!  The church needs it, and God loves it!

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[1] Title Image:  Ian Paterson, via Wikimedia Commons