Numbers 15:17-16:40; Mark 15:1-47; Psalm 54:1-7; Proverbs 11:5-6
“They incited a rebellion against Moses, along with 250 other leaders of the community, all prominent members of the assembly. They united against Moses and Aaron and said, ‘You have gone too far! The whole community of Israel has been set apart by the Lord, and he is with all of us. What right do you have to act as though you are greater than the rest of the Lord’s people?’”
“The crowd went to Pilate and asked him to release a prisoner as usual. ‘Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?’ Pilate asked. (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy.) But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus.”
“The godly are directed by honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin. The godliness of good people rescues them;
the ambition of treacherous people traps them.”
We need to take a careful look at our tendency to choose anything but godly leadership. Isn’t that what the rebellion against Moses and the freeing of Barabbas were really all about? People simply decided to reject God’s messengers. The ramifications and consequences of that choice were hardly considered. The rebels had no plan for moving forward; they just didn’t want to follow Moses. There’s no indication the people planned to follow Barabbas. He just wasn’t Jesus. When push comes to shove, the very people who ask for and wait for God’s guidance sometimes are the ones least able to accept it when it comes from another person.
Many of us get uncomfortable when someone else claims divine inspiration. The rejection can be even worse when their message addresses our own need for guidance or deliverance. Maybe we feel inadequate by comparison, but that doesn’t justify outright resentment or envy of those better “connected.” There is another approach. First, because choosing anything other than Christ is choosing something less than God’s best, we should accept those guiding in His Name as a blessing. Second, we need to honestly admit we least appreciate Spirit correction when we need it the most. That correction is uncomfortable does not make it wrong. Third, remember that when God speaks today, He frequently does it through others. A big part of humility is being able to accept God’s Word, regardless of its source. Gratitude, acceptance and humble reaction is the better, proper response to those who would lead us closer to God.
I have no problem at all accepting compliments, whatever the source. It’s criticism that rankles, and it rankles worse when the Spirit chooses another believer to deliver its message. I need to keep in mind that brothers and sisters who love each other help each other make corrections when corrections are needed. Next time I get corrected in the name of Christ, I’m going to try to be more grateful that I have friends who care enough to let me know when I fall into error. If they are wrong, it will be obvious soon enough. Either way, though, I’m going to try to be less defensive and resist the temptation to choose anything but Jesus.
2 comments:
Bibleblogger, thanks for your consistency...not only for staying up (or getting up) at 12:06 to post the daily message but also for being positive. Your messages ooze tones of help, hope and love from a God that we all need and seek far to infrequently...and can't seem to wait for. I don't know about you but I can't seem to stay hopeful for more than a few hours. I need a Caleb in my life daily to infuse positive strokes that reinvigorate my hope in humanity...that there are people out there that want to get it done for God and aren't afraid to wait if God is not ready (and still stay upbeat). Changing directions a bit...do you think that problems with pastors can be God driven forced introspection for churches? Can a less than perfect pastor with great spiritual knowledge but minimal people or managerial skills effectively lead a church? We face this in our church...good sermons and no growth in the most rapidly growing part of town. Is this preacher Moses? Is he Jesus? and if we reject him are we picking Barabas? Help needed in the Big O (by Tuesday), Thom
Thom, I have to confess this lovely program allows me to get some sleep and still release blogs at midnight! I have nowhere near the character you suggest...
But on a more serious note, I am glad that God is using this blog to encourage others, which in turn encourages me!
Turning to your questions, there is no doubt in my mind that God can and sometimes does use pastor evaluation to encourage church introspection. But since I have never met or even heard of a perfect pastor, I also would have to say yes, a less than perfect pastor can effectively lead a church - BUT ONLY IF HE/SHE IS ABSOLUTELY CENTERED ON CHRIST AND ALLOWS CHRIST TO DO THE PASTORING! On the other hand, I would add that if he/she is not centered on Christ, he/she has no business being a pastor, no matter how perfect their managerial or people skills.
Allow me one more observation. If the problem is lack of growth, the problem may only indirectly be the pastor -- to the extent he/she is not holding the congregation accountable for hospitality and affirmative discipleship! The bigger problem may, just may, lie with a congregation which takes too much of a "what's in it for me" approach to worship, instead of focusing on winning others to Christ. I have repeatedly seen simple hospitality trump poor preaching when push comes to shove. With good sermons and great spiritual knowledge coming from your pastor, a heavier dose of hospitality may be just the thing to fill the pews.
In summary, I would be careful rejecting any true child of God. I would not hesitate to remove any pastor who is anything but. However, I would want to be sure the Body was holding up its end of the relationship first - and that includes both hearty hospitality and fervent prayer for the right leader!
Hope this helps.
Blessings, my friend! You and your church are in my prayers!
Tom
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