Thursday 5 June 2014

"Church Leadership can be Brutal"

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A short time after I'd been hounded from the 'church', someone apologised to me because they felt they had not been supportive enough of me while I was in leadership. This person explained that they had had experience of being in leadership in that context and said to me, "I know that church leadership can be brutal."

At the time, I accepted the apology at face value and moved on.

But in recent months, those words have been haunting me.

And in light of the latest revelations regarding a certain business franchise church where the tally of leaders who have been "thrown under the bus" is rapidly mounting, I've become increasingly perturbed by those words.

The person who uttered them to me meant well. They were trying, in their own way, to offer comfort and at the time I received the words in that vein. But I've been thinking about what those words really mean.

That the people of God, to whom Christ gave the commandment to love one another, and who should be identified by that love (John 13:34-35) are, instead, known for their brutality toward one another.

And we see this as normal… inevitable… acceptable.

What, in the name of God, is wrong with us!?

5 comments:

  1. In the first place we have to understand that there are two parts or what is called "the church." There is the prostitute who poses as a lover of Jesus and His people who only "plays" if you pay her enough (hounding the faithful for tithes and offerings). This false bride feigns affection, but don't cross her! She will turn on you like a viper and attach herself to you until you are dead. These must be cast off into the fire and walked away from.
    Then there is the Bride of Christ who loves Him and her fellow members without charge or even the thought of getting a reward for her service and love to Him and His people. She is of a totally giving spirit that puts all other before herself. Her fellow members in Jesus' body nurture one another in His love and wouldn't dream of casting one another off with the attitude of the whore, "I have no need of you (except your free labor and money)." The bride is not presumptuous either. She doesn't feel she deserves anything, but rather basks in the love of the Lord and is always grateful for Him and what He has done, knowing that in herself she deserves nothing. She loves much because she has been forgiven much. Her members are REAL people who live according to 1 Corinthians 13 with one another.
    So, don't become confused by this ruse they call "the church" in its highly visible form. Remember Jesus' words...
    "He was demanded by the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God comes not with outward observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you." (Luke 17:20-21 KJ2000)
    Look for those in whom the kingdom of God dwells in bodily form, not just in outward show to impress others.

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    1. Spending my energies on the 'real' these days :)

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  2. Michaeldc110

    Well Said...

    "In the first place we have to understand that there are two parts or what is called "the church." There is the prostitute who poses as a lover of Jesus and His people who only "plays" if you pay her enough (hounding the faithful for tithes and offerings). This false bride feigns affection, but don't cross her! She will turn on you like a viper and attach herself to you until you are dead."

    I Have experienced this first hand when dis-agreeing with "Church Leadership."

    And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold:
    them also I must bring, and they shall “hear My voice; “
    and there shall be “ONE” fold, and “ONE” shepherd.
    John 10:16

    If not now? - When?

    One Voice - One Fold - One Shepherd - One Leader

    {{{{{{ Jesus }}}}}}

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  3. living liminal

    me too... And amen... “"Church Leadership can be Brutal"

    And - “A short time after I'd been hounded from the 'church',”

    I asked God a similar questions...
    “What, in the name of God, is wrong with us!?” - Me? - This Religious System?

    Well, I searched, and found something never taught to me from the pulpit...

    In the Bible, there is NO such thing as “Church Leadership” for His Disciples.
    And it seems Jesus has a unique take on leadership for His Body - “ONE”

    Haven’t you ever wondered why Jesus taught His Disciples NOT to be called “Leaders?”
    For you have “ONE” leader - the Christ.

    And NONE did...
    In the Bible, ALL of “His Disciples” called themselves “Servants.” ;-)

    Mat 23:10-12 NASB - New American Standard Bible
    Do NOT be called leaders; for “ONE” is your Leader, that is, Christ.
    But the greatest among you shall be your “Servant”.
    Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled;
    and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.

    The Message - Mat 23:10-12.
    And don't let people maneuver you into taking charge of them.
    There is only “ONE” Life-Leader for you and them—Christ.
    **Do you want to stand out? - Then step down. - Be a servant.**
    If you puff yourself up, you'll get the wind knocked out of you.
    But if you're content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty.

    If Jesus, instructed *His Disciples* NOT to be callers “leaders?” And NONE did?

    And someone “Ignores* what Jesus taught His disciples?
    Or, someone “Opposes” what Jesus taught His disciples?

    And calls them self a “Leader?”
    Or, allows others to call them “Leader?”

    Are they one of “His Disciples?”

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    1. Thanks, A. Amos, I agree. We are all brothers, all priests, all called to serve. What happens in the institutional church is too often the exact opposite of what Christ called us to be. So sad!

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