I appreciate the letter from Vicki Strange (“Oppression from the pews,” Jan. 21). My wife has been a pastor’s daughter for 50 years and a pastor’s wife for 32 years. For the last 15 years, I have served as associational missionary for the 30 churches of Colleton Baptist Association.
Over the years, we have experienced our share of the oppression from the pews the writer addressed. As a director of missions, I have walked with other pastors and staff members who sought to follow God’s leadership and took the arrows that resulted. On very rare occasions where a pastor seemed intent on a personal agenda, or perhaps engaged in ethically questionable behavior, I have intervened at the request of the church. Far too often, when a pastor’s leadership challenges the status quo, the result is conflict and triangulation rather than prayer and self-examination.
Thank God that he has chosen not to judge our churches as harshly as he did the church of Jerusalem in the book of Acts – at least, not yet. But judgment is coming. Hopefully, both church members and pastors will put aside personal agendas and “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.” And when pastors demonstrate a servant-leader spirit, perhaps church members will begin to “obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Imagine that! The Bible (Hebrews 13:17) actually addresses this problem.
Pastors, remember to lead as those who will give an account for your teaching and example. Members, follow as long as the teaching is biblical and the example is upright. Treat your pastors in such a way that they brag about you at every pastors conference.
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