The Lost Shepherd

Hello Huldah,

The church we attend is seeing a lot of turmoil right now. People are very angry with one another, and some are threatening to leave. The arguments range from the music all the way to planning activities. My wife and I don't want to take part in the battles, but at the same time its painful to watch the people we care about tear each other down. We try to talk to the pastor, but he is passive and doesn't seem to want to get involved.
As a couple, we have never witnessed such things in church before and are unsure what we can do. This doesn't seem like the Christian love we read about in the Bible.

Hurting for the Brethren


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Dear Hurting,

It is so sad to hear these stories. The undeniable truth is that we have allowed Satan a foothold in many of our churches today. The world's influences of power, greed, and selfish desires are pouring in through the cracks of the church. Disagreements arise in practically every church from time to time, but with qualified, Godly leadership, it should be kept at a minimum and resolved quickly.

My question is:

Do you have deacons or elders? If so, I would appeal to them. The pastor himself, should be accountable to other men in the church. If they do not listen, or if you have none, then I would appeal to the pastor once again with men in the church that you trust according to Matthew 18:15:

 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you, so that BY THE MOUTH OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY FACT MAY BE CONFIRMED. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector." 

The truth is the pastor is sinning with his complacency. If he still refuses to take matters in hand, then you might reflect on John 10:11-13

 "I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who is not the owner of the sheep, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and is not concerned about the sheep." 

A good shepherd with backbone would do what he can to get to the bottom of these issues. If he truly desires to protect the sheep, he may have to make the hard decisions to put any obstinate offenders out of the church. This is in hopes that the offenders would return repentant, but ultimately that peace would once again be felt by all.

It is romantic to think of it all ending on such a happy note, but all too often it doesn't. If your conscience is clear and you feel you have followed biblical principles to help restore your church, but to no avail, then you just may have to resort to finding another church.

God bless you in your endeavors.

Maidservant Huldah