A friend just blogged:I recently received an e-mail from a pastor who resigned from his congregation. The last straw for him was conflict over the design of the congregation's web site. (That's right, a well established congregation in a major denomination is just now building its first site in 2008.) He wrote:
"We had a large disagreement about the purpose of a web site. They wanted it for upkeep of our calendar and shut-in lists, etc. I wanted it to be an evangelism and educational tool- sermons, blogs, mp3 and video. When I tried to convince them that it could be all of the above they really didn’t want to hear it. It was a small example of the big picture problem I’ve had with them for 7 years."
Church leadership is hard! And it’s all too often that a small group within the congregation imposes their will on the entire church and against the leadership of the pastor. It is a clear misunderstanding of the way God works through pastors.
My favorite rule of thumb: if it’s not contrary to scripture, let the pastor lead! Like the rabbi said: “Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” (Acts 5:38-39, NIV)
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2 comments:
I agree. Church leadership is very difficult. Why do so many congregations make it a lot harder than it has to be? (That's a rhetorical question for which there is no good answer.)
I think there might be an answer to your rhetorical question, Clif! I think it's the reason Jesus had to come to Earth: sin! That may sound strong... but isn't it the root of everything that breaks relationships and tries to oppose what God is wanting to do?
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