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No, this isn't about our current war on terrorism. It's about
guerrilla warfare in the church.
After thirteen years in the pastorate, I left in 1973. I was a
"pastoral dropout." Though I don't have any statistics on the
present situation in the pastorate, my search through Google reveals
that a great deal of attention is being given to the subject.
The reason for my leaving the pastorate is a long story. But you
can read it in the Christianity Today publication, Leadership
(Winter 1993, Volume XIV, Number 1). The entire issue is on church
conflict. Or you can get a copy of my article by sending me an
e-mail (see address at end of blog).
Though there are many reasons for pastors leaving, the lament that
breaks my heart, one that I hear again and again, is that of Elijah
whom The Apostle Paul quotes:
"Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars;
I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me" (Rom.
11:3).
That may sound a bit melodramatic, but not to those who have been
there or are there now. For those who are there now, I share with
you the major points of my conclusion, "Signs of a No-Win War."
**Is there a history of factionalism? Sometimes new pastors are not
aware of past problems in the church. Even though I knew of some
when I accepted the pastorate of this church, I was naive.
**Are your peace initiatives having no effect? Not only did my
efforts at making peace have no effect, the guerrillas kept sniping
at me and my family after we left.
**Are the leaders willing to pay the price to win the war? What
kind of elders and deacons do you have? Are they spiritually minded
people with some combat experience? There will be casualties.
**Is there enough popular support to win the war? While I had over
eighty-percent of the congregation behind me, other factors made me
realize that this would be an unnecessarily bloody war.
**Is the opposition willing to negotiate, or do they demand
unconditional surrender? They demanded unconditional surrender.
**Are you unable to protect your own family? This was probably the
hardest part. My wife and four sons were being wounded too.
**Do you know why you're fighting? Is there any element in your
personality that drives you to win? I'm not talking about being led
of God. I'm talking about a fleshly need to win.
If you are a pastor facing what may look like a no-win situation,
I'd be happy to correspond with you. We may not know what God is
doing, but He does. I end my article in Leadership with these
words:
Though this episode of my life was painful, if I could write a
finale, it would read as Job's: "The Lord blessed the latter
part of [his] life more than the first."
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