North of Normal

I’ve heard church members say it. I’ve heard staff members say it. Usually, it’s what’s said when someone wants to sound spiritual and mask their own issues.

“I love my church, and I believe in the vision, I just have a problem with _______.” Or, “Overall he’s a great pastor, but ______.” And, usually that’s a big but!

When did perfection become the standard for “leaadership” and the requirement for “followship“? As parents we understand that God has entrusted the responsibility of raising our kids to us, not because we’re perfect, but because he’s called us to do it. Yet, in church life religious people will follow you as long as they agree with where you’re headed. When the time comes that they no longer agree with you, then your faults become their headlines. They don’t have the guts to say, “I have this serious problem with authority, so I can’t follow” or “I really want to be in control, so I get rebellious and have to throw a tantrum every now and then.” That would be too honest - something a Pharisee has a hard time being. It’s got to be someone else’s fault.

I remember one occasion, a staff member had asked for a meeting with me.  He told me he was resigning -  his reason, “I just don’t respect you and can’t work for you.” When asked what the issue(s) was/were, he wouldn’t even man up and address it. Now, because of what was happening at the time, I know full well what the reasons were - he had gotten busted by showing his hand and choosing the losing side in a serious controversy.  You can’t be a betrayer and deceptive and lack the courage to do what’s right and respect those who do have courage.  What he didn’t know at the time was that he was only a few days from being fired. He did me a favor. But think about it - “I don’t respect you…” Couldn’t that be said about anybody at given times? And, it’s very possible his lack of respect was his own issues - he had many… well, I’ll just say many. He just didn’t have what it took (I wasn’t the only person in leadership he had issues with).

God calls pastors to lead not because they deserve the roll, but because he chooses to use the imperfect. God admonishes Christ-followers to “follow” not because of the perfection of the leader, but just because God says so. Our kids don’t go find new parents every time they disagree with our decisions - no they have to roll with it, and by doing so they grow and learn, even when we’re wrong.

It’s interesting that Paul, arguably one of the greatest Christ-followers in history called himself the “chief of sinners”. He also said that what he was suppose to do, he often didn’t, and those things he shouldn’t do, he often did. His persistence came not from his perfection, but from his calling and God’s grace. So, if you’re on a church staff, or a church member and you’ve begun to pick your leader(s) apart and find and advertise all their faults - that’s not Biblical, it’s not Christ-like, it’s just convoluted and polluted (stop focusing on the splinter and notice the plank!).