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A loving chat about the repercussions of bad ministry

This is undoubtedly a heavy topic. But that's kind of what I'm into in case you haven't noticed that yet haha! Jokes aside - this is something that over the past decade, I have experienced, have heard others talk about their own experiences with and overall have noticed it's become a topic of conversation.


I had a strange experience in ministry once. There was speaking in tongues without an interpreter, biblical references taken out of context, gossip and an evident social hierarchy. The head of ministry put themselves on a pedestal. It severely affected the way I viewed Christian leadership for a short time and I had to heal from it. Craig Groeshel had a wise piece of advice in one of his leadership podcasts, "If you can't get behind the leadership, do yourself AND them a favor and leave". So, I left. I had some wise counsel that told me, "Even people who are the head of ministries are sinners and are imperfect". That was a much needed reminder. I think we naturally have higher expectations of those people. However, if you are teaching and leading for Christ, you are held to a higher standard - James 3:1-2 says, Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check". Personally, i'm looking for two things in leadership in any ministry - humility and servanthood. If those are absent, then something isn't right. Those who are overseeing and caring for other peoples hearts and have been put in a position to exemplify Jesus should have those two characteristics pouring out of them!


I've heard (and have had) conversations about "how it feels" at church and how the lights, matching worship team outfits and all felt overdone. That they're looking for something more "real" where people on staff actually remember their name after going there for quite a while. That someone who represented God to them hurt them deeply and it all just seems like a sham. I've heard people talk about how deeply judged they've felt by the church. That the pastor isn't preaching about the real issues of life. I've seen deep manipulation and narcissism from leadership that derailed relationships in the church.


All those are valid. All are hard to navigate. All can cause misunderstanding and hurt. No one is perfect - thank God for forgiveness, grace and mercy!


Truth is, true ministry should make us think of ourselves last. It fights for truth in love and doesn't force it's own way. It serves and doesn't always feel great. Most of the time it's stretching and painful, a battle against our fleshly desire to elevate ourselves. It doesn't stand for the misrepresentation of Gods word. It can look like keeping our mouths shut and allowing God to move where we can't. Ultimately, it's a life surrendered to trusting the Lord and being guided by Him as we push through the feelings of "self". God knows what we need and how we should handle something if we just listen and wait on Him! We can't trust our feelings when the responsibility of leading someone closer or further away from Jesus is at stake.


Representing the love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control of God (Galatians 5:22) doesn't always make us look sparkling to the world. For example, when we're expected to clap back but instead we choose to be kind and not allow our words to create pain - Proverbs 18:21 says, "The power of life and death are in the tongue and those who love it will eat it's fruit". It can be temporarily embarrassing and uncomfortable to choose to represent Jesus and let our fleshly desires take a back seat. It tears down the image of ourselves we've so carefully created. But God never leaves us there! He is faithful and honors that we chose love over hurt. The repercussions of getting caught up in a personal agenda in any type of ministry leadership position is incredibly dangerous. To the individual in leadership, but possibly more so to those under their care. What a massive responsibility! However, on the other side of obedience to Jesus is usually a lesson, being spared from heartache, and joy!



As Christians, following Jesus and being guided by His Holy Spirit is leadership in and of itself. Let's be careful of how we're exemplifying Him in our everyday lives, it's a beautiful journey with Him that provides more hope, peace and joy than this world could ever offer! Let's radiate the power of love that He's given us!


"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13.






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