It Happens Too Often
Found out today that yet another friend in ministry, a very talented, dedicated, God-honoring, family-oriented, man of one wife, and father of several children was unexpectedly pushed out of his long time invested position at his church where he had poured in and built something really great. There was no moral failure, and the reasons given were extremely ambiguous and trite. From what I understand, there was no attempt to work with him on these issues, he was a just one day given the axe. Hear me, God does not honor that type of leadership decision making. We often think that a large organization can get away with anything it wants and still have God on their side because with money, numbers, and past blessings, they can stay alive and even thrive - but this shift away from absolute submission to God's Word into human reasoning and self-importance is when God leaves an organization without them even knowing He's gone.
The Bible tells us that God resists the proud. It's not that He just passively doesn't help them, it's that He actively stiff arms them - and when leadership sees people as expendable because they perceive their mission or name as more important than mandates of how we ought to treat those under us, that is nothing but sinful pride. Will God honor the trampling of the people He brought for His mission to be fulfilled? I don't think so. Of course, firings must happen for those who act wrongly, and even that must be handled properly with grace and patience, but I believe, and will carry this in ministry for the rest of my life, that those you hire, you invest in. If there are areas that need guidance, you work with them until they understand. You. Do. Not. Just. Push. Them. Out. That is not leadership, that is positional power. Big difference. My life is forever marked by being at the wrong end of this type of leadership, and my heart breaks for my friend. My wife and I wept this morning because we know what they're about to walk through emotionally, spiritually, and financially.
We see big, important organizations and we assume God's presence and blessing, but the Bible is absolutely filled with the idea of God actually being on the side of the underdog, the broken hearted, and those who have been wronged in the name of ministry. This isn't to say that large organizations are automatically void of God's presence, but no place on earth has the ability to blatantly and systematically disobey God in how they treat God's people and still be blessed with His presence. Unless submission to Christ is foremost in word and action, He will leave. He doesn't need our kingdoms.
If you have been harmed in this way, look to the heavens and thank God. He loves you. He's protecting you, and although things may not feel like they did, and maybe they won't ever again - He is good. Whatever you built, He saw your work. Whoever you poured into, it won't be forgotten. He wants you to shift your focus to Him and His Word. Press into your family and love them as best you can. Our God is a righteous judge, and He will right every single wrong in the end. Remain faithful, obedient, and rest knowing that God is with you.
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"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
