It is time for the UPCI to do something about failing ministries and ministers besides conducting last rites. Our policies mirror the child abuse laws our various states so proudly enforce. It looks good on paper, but the practical application results in unlimited resources being available to tear a family apart, while precious little-to-nothing is expended to put the pieces back together once the investigation is concluded. Our manual tells us precisely how to obliterate those who commit sin, but all we do about prevention is a local license seminar every spring and an occasional message from an organizational official reminding us of how cold it is outside the fellowship and how hot it is in hell.
I concede that we all should be strong and invincible, standing in the full power of the Holy Ghost 24/7/365.25. The sad truth is – we aren’t. Even some of those macho types have been found grazing in pastures that didn’t belong to them.
What happened? Were they rotten to begin with? I don’t think so.
The thing that Paul feared would get him kicked out of the church was his own lustful flesh (1 Cor. 9:27), about which he spent a good bit of time writing to the church at Rome. Other New Testament instructions warn of the flesh’s ability to thwart the work of the Spirit even to point of suggesting that we remove those body parts that we cannot, by the Spirit, control.
James says that we should confess our faults to one another and pray for each other so that we can be healed (James 5:16). Preachers have used this verse to promote public confession, but I don’t believe that is what James intended.
Since I’m running out of room, let me cut to the chase.
1. Ministers seldom have anyone to whom they can admit that they have a problem. Because ours is such a macho environment where only the weak fail, in some circles admitting a weakness is committing ministerial suicide. Because our organizational officials are charged with defending and protecting the fellowship, a struggling preacher will not feel comfortable seeking one out. So, where does he go?
Most of the time – no where. In his mind, there is no place where he will not be judged and sentenced.
2. For that reason, each of our districts should establish a council of proven and trustworthy elders who will act as chaplains and coaches to struggling ministers. Ministers would be able to contact one of these elders and the entire conversation and plan kept confidential. (Remember: this is a preventive measure. It is not about correction or restoration. This is not a confession service that trumps the judicial procedure.)
3. Ministers who seek help must agree to full disclosure with the elder (which he will keep confidential). They cannot remain anonymous or hide behind a telephone hotline.
4. The minister must agree to follow the plan of action prescribed by the elder. He must cooperate with the accountability the elder will demand.
There is more, but you get the idea. I realize there are holes in this plan and issues that I haven’t even considered, but I haven’t heard anything else being offered, so I decided to toss it out. It just makes more sense to me to stand with my brother while he is struggling than to wave goodbye when he leaves in disgrace.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
I concede that we all should be strong and invincible, standing in the full power of the Holy Ghost 24/7/365.25. The sad truth is – we aren’t. Even some of those macho types have been found grazing in pastures that didn’t belong to them.
What happened? Were they rotten to begin with? I don’t think so.
The thing that Paul feared would get him kicked out of the church was his own lustful flesh (1 Cor. 9:27), about which he spent a good bit of time writing to the church at Rome. Other New Testament instructions warn of the flesh’s ability to thwart the work of the Spirit even to point of suggesting that we remove those body parts that we cannot, by the Spirit, control.
James says that we should confess our faults to one another and pray for each other so that we can be healed (James 5:16). Preachers have used this verse to promote public confession, but I don’t believe that is what James intended.
Since I’m running out of room, let me cut to the chase.
1. Ministers seldom have anyone to whom they can admit that they have a problem. Because ours is such a macho environment where only the weak fail, in some circles admitting a weakness is committing ministerial suicide. Because our organizational officials are charged with defending and protecting the fellowship, a struggling preacher will not feel comfortable seeking one out. So, where does he go?
Most of the time – no where. In his mind, there is no place where he will not be judged and sentenced.
2. For that reason, each of our districts should establish a council of proven and trustworthy elders who will act as chaplains and coaches to struggling ministers. Ministers would be able to contact one of these elders and the entire conversation and plan kept confidential. (Remember: this is a preventive measure. It is not about correction or restoration. This is not a confession service that trumps the judicial procedure.)
3. Ministers who seek help must agree to full disclosure with the elder (which he will keep confidential). They cannot remain anonymous or hide behind a telephone hotline.
4. The minister must agree to follow the plan of action prescribed by the elder. He must cooperate with the accountability the elder will demand.
There is more, but you get the idea. I realize there are holes in this plan and issues that I haven’t even considered, but I haven’t heard anything else being offered, so I decided to toss it out. It just makes more sense to me to stand with my brother while he is struggling than to wave goodbye when he leaves in disgrace.
“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.”
1 Corinthians 10:12
©2006 Doug Ellingsworth
2 comments:
Excellent post. I linked to it on my blog. It should be required reading for every pastor in our fellowship.
I have a family member who was a lay UPC minister. He had no where to go when he fell. Finally, after stumbling about for a few months, by the love and grace of God, he and his family started going to a church where the pastor (UPC)took him in and helped him get back on his feet. Though he is not licensed now, he ministers effectively in their church in bible studies, ACTS, and other ways. I thank God for this pastor for he helped salvage a member of my family who had been tossed out to fend for themselves. Where would they be today if not for this pastor who was willing to do what so many others had turned their backs to? Keep striving to do something about this lack of help in our fellowship, please.
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