The following is intended to bring attention to a very sensitive subject that may concern friends, associates, and others I know and have known. Also, my revelation of this issue may assist others in making certain decisions. Lastly, this is not intended to criticize or give the perception I am passing judgment; and I apologize if it is received as such. This is the last time I discuss this. Sincere gratitude goes to God for removing me from these types of problems.
I feel that the homecoming services that many churches hold (usually around this time of year) is a wonderful extension of the fellowship principle as a Christian. Members who have left the comfort of their home church are specially welcomed back to familiar faces and loved ones; sharing with each other old times and new occurrences. These services more than likely offer additional moments dedicated to praise and worship, a powerful message, and a great meal that secures the fondness of where a member may have first confessed Christ. But along with this, these welcome back Sundays allow for ministries to give members, past and present, a good 'ol Baptist head beating for bucks--asking for the ever popular special offering that more than likely should support the church or the community needs (or both); but too often end up supporting only a few people's desires. I am not so learned that I won't acknowledge the Holy Spirit may very well guide a senior pastor to execute such a task, however, I fail to see this displayed in scripture. But this is what I do see.
Throughout 1 and 2 Samuel, 1 and 2 Kings, and 1 and 2 Chronicles there are numerous accounts on leadership; including the positive effects of good rulers and the negative effects of bad ones. Within one of the accounts is a story about a bad king [of Judah], desperate for rescue after he and his capital city were under military siege, requesting the help of another nation with shameless pleading and by advancing monetary gifts out of the national treasury. These gifts that were acquired by various ways, including donations from the citizens of the country, obviously had purposes other than to be used for ransom. But they were eventually used in this manner mainly because of a lack of faith (which involves consistent obedience) by the nations leaders. Sadly, even though this payoff provided temporary protection, this event was a key component to the destruction of Judah years later. Read 2 Kings 16 - 24 for full details.
Of course we can read that and say that greedy and evil kings can resemble money and power hungry preachers. And we can go on and scream that these preachers better be careful playing with God's money and authority. But the reality is that not a preacher on earth can get a person a pass into heaven or give a recommendation for hell. Still, what is shown is the great indirect influence the kings had on people who honestly didn't know and were dependent on their existence. With that thought in mind, I wonder if pastors who devise cash schemes and twist (or cut out) scriptures to enhance their financial portfolio, ever consider that if they catch that embezzlement charge what will happen to the people they preach to? How will their faith be affected? Will they attend church again? Will they still seek God since the preacher was essentially a lie?
Most heads-of-church will stay away from the book of Lamentations; possibly because it details a vivid picture of a Jewish exile. And whose gonna shout about being exiled or separated from God? Now, a skilled preacher can pull out the this-is-what-happens-when-sin-is-rampant sermon; but what about the if-I-don't-follow-God-the-best-I-can-then-my-people-could-be-exiled-from-God sermon? Speaking from experience, I have displayed behavior (not with money) in the past that could have possibly lead others astray; and I'm going to have to answer to that. Still, I thank God often that those people are alive and have a chance to overcome my horrible neglect if they need to.
It's foolish to assume everyone that's dancing in the aisle is saved, living a Christian life, or has strong enough faith to endure an embarrassing removal of a trusted minister. And it's very likely that there are people who put their faith not in God, but in the system of the church they attend--which starts and ends with the pastor. There are no words I can write to describe the disaster of a senior pastor who chooses to function outside of financial integrity, when it is nearly certain that their congregants relationship with God is currently breathing from the example shown by them.
Loaded issue with a million points; so take this with you. If your pastor is grade A or grade F, find the true God through Jesus Christ yourself with prayer and study of the Bible. If you are frequently in situations where it seems your church is shady with the money, pray about whether or not you should leave; then let the Holy Spirit guide you.
If any preachers are reading this, please consider these words as awareness and not condemnation. And if you're one of the those that you feel can be associated with the negative thoughts expressed here, please consider your sheep.
Peace
With this, the sheep themselves are also accountable. We are all called to work for the Kingdom and through the Son, given a relationship with God. It is the responsibility of the sheep to make sure that their ideology and theology has not replaced Jesus, that their focus is on Jesus and not a person, that hype has not replaced the Holy Spirit, and that their ultimate reward is not death.
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 11.3-4 tells us to pay attention. In watching the Apostles, we see that the pastoring we are all called to do is to pay attention and call attention to what God is doing. I am constantly amazed at the numerous people that I meet who will say, “My pastor says…,” but, even if they carry a Bible, will never open it. These same people will keep a letter from a lover and read it over and over through the years, but will not even open a letter from their Father.
Great post brother.