steadfast or split

Last updated on: September 4, 2008 at 1:47 pm by David Hayward

steadfast or split 2008-09-04T13:47:46-04:00 David Hayward

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I spoke with a pastor who is going through a rough time. He was losing members who left nasty letters upon their departure and some influenced others to leave along with them or join them at the latest church they were attending. Uh-huh. Been there. I had lots to talk about because I’d been through the very same thing a couple of times.

We’re not going through that right now in our community. But we have. It’s one thing for a flock to be attacked by wolves. That’s bound to happen. It will happen. That isn’t seasonal but perpetual. But it’s another thing for a flock to be attacked by wolves in sheep’s clothing. That doesn’t necessarily happen all the time. Every flock has wolves in sheep’s clothing but they’re not always active. They wait for the opportune moment. But when the opportune moment comes and they get busy, then it is an especially difficult season for the shepherd(s) and the flock.

It is during this season that pastors are tempted to sign off. The pain is excruciating and unrelenting. You can read it on their faces. I remember those days vividly. I still have stacks of letters written to me in the most syrupy sweet sincere spiritual vitriol you could ever read. I will keep them as a reminder of how sinful, stupid and sadistic we can be. Plus I might publish my story of a church split one day and they’re a great read! I just have to figure out a way of doing it without getting sued. But I nearly lost my wife, my kids, my faith and my health… never mind the entire flock… due to the super-spiritual and super-destructive charades of our critics and, yes, even our enemies. Why stay and get eaten alive?

Granted, people leaving a church is sometimes necessary and even healthy. People are free to choose. People will vote with their feet. But I’m convinced that at the roots of the church split movement and the church-consumer drive is a deeper ill, and that is our inability and unwillingness to love and forgive– and be reconciled to– all people. It betrays the serious fracture not only in the church, but in all religion, all races, and all people. It exposes the fact that we love ideas more than our fellow human beings. It is necessary during these times to find a way to love the flock and be steadfast. It is important to discover a way to endure through this especially difficult season, because it will pass. Sooner or later, it will pass. Certainly, during these times of increasing and disturbing instability, stability can be the most urgent need of the church and our greatest witness as pastors of it.

thought

Previous Post

September 4, 2008

cartoon: a state of...

Next Post

September 5, 2008 cartoon: just hangin'

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category art cartoons cartoons 2 freebie music one minute message podcast Sophia teaching technology thought

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 March 2006 February 2006

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

True or False: Peter raised Tabitha (Dorcas) from the dead in Lydda.

Select your answer to see how you score.

FALSE TRUE