This is a critical post. I won't pretend to have all the answers, but I want to put into words some things about certain churches that have been bothering me for years. Maybe you can relate, and hopefully you have some good solutions to share. Here it goes...
Unbiblical
This can happen by clouding the Bible with earthly wisdom, experience,
tradition. It can also happen by taking verses out of context. Often, the
pastor has been taught to understand verses a certain way and assumes that the
interpretation learned can be passed along without critical analysis. The worst
case scenario is where pastors actually abuse their congregants with their
pastoral authority. Like any position of power, pastoring can attract those who
want to have power over people and/or are interested in taking their money.
Kings
It is important to remember that there are various
interpretations of the Bible. In such cases, different viewpoints need to be
respected and discussed, working together (in the Bible!) to increase in
knowledge, wisdom and understanding. It is arrogant and foolish to believe that
your teacher, your pastor or your denomination is simply right and others wrong.
When pastors cannot be questioned or Biblically challenged on their teaching,
there is a huge problem. “You are a royal priesthood…” “So then, no more
boasting about human leaders.”
Pedestal
While pastors are vitally important to the Church, a pastor is simply one of many vocations. They should be appreciated for their hard work
and job well done, just as everybody else. However, pastor appreciation can
resemble the Oscars, with a certain group of people congratulating themselves
in front of their audience. For example, extravagant parties for pastors coming
and going, while faithful volunteers might receive a mention when they leave, if
they were highly visible. Recently, the
son of our youth pastor was dedicated. There was a special ceremony for this
during Sunday service, while other children are dedicated in a large group once
every few months. Being a pastor is also widely pronounced (by pastors) to make
one a “Godly person.” “For they love to stand and pray in the
synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others”
Castes
As in the world, many churches have hierarchical structures,
with many ambitious people striving for positions of power and prestige. There
is more honor given to pastors, deacons, boards than for to others. “When you
have a banquet, invite the poor…”
Money
Often, churches spend the vast majority on their local
facility, staff, and events for the congregation itself, while focusing a much
smaller amount to evangelism and charity. There must be a better way to make
our giving reach those in need. Partially for this reason, giving time can be a
dreadful one in many churches. Unpleasant also can be the talk that directly
precedes the plate-passing. It is at the same time pleading, demanding, coercive,
manipulative – in short, it attempts to make giving compulsory. Many churches
appeal to fear (“stingy hearts block the Spirit of God from flowing through the
house”), law (“Will a man rob God?”), even greed (“God will bless you one
hundred-fold”), instead of thankfulness, compassion, generosity. “Each of you should give what you have decided
in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves
a cheerful giver.”
God Bless You! Thank you for reading, hopefully we can have a good discussion about these issues.
