At the end of the year, the “congregation as a whole” seems to recognize that the handful of angry detractors are wrong, and the pastor, while not necessarily right, falls somewhere between acceptable and excellent.
Of course there is a larger group, who have their own concerns about this pastor’s ministry, some of which have validity, some of which are a creation of the whisper campaign. Were it not for the angry handful, the pastor could work towards resolution with this second group. All would be served by such an effort since both the pastor and this second group have some growing to do.
But the angry handful continue to stir up discontent, effectively blocking any efforts at reconciliation. As they do, the second group grows larger and energy is depleted from the primary ministry of the church.
Those who do not have concerns and have not been seriously influenced by the whisper campaign grow tired and begin to withdraw. Attendance lags, the pastor is frustrated, and real ministry is moved to the back burner. Without resolution this cannot continue, but resolution eludes this church.
Here is the twist. Though the “congregation as a whole” seems to think that the angry detractors are acting inappropriately, it is also clear that they would rather have the pastor leave than enter into conflict with the handful of angry detractors.
It seems almost inevitable, then, that the day will come when the ministry of the congregation suffers so much that the “congregation as a whole” will come to believe the pastor must leave. (They’ll be very sorry about it, but that won’t do the pastor’s family any good.)
At this point the pastor continues to seek resolution, and — if strong enough and patient — avoids the temptation to lash out in anger and damage the congregation. If the situation continues to resist resolution, where can it lead?
If the pastor cannot find another call quickly, something that is harder to do when the pastor is discouraged, the congregation will likely be obliged to come up with a fair severance package — something they cannot afford. The congregation’s energy will be depleted. They will have “issues” to deal with after the pastor is gone.
Further, it will be some time before the pastor will recover enough to serve our Lord with “energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.” This in a denomination where pastoral leadership is becoming scarce.
Ask your presbytery executive; this story is all too common. It derails our primary mission to share the good news of God’s kingdom. So let me ask you, “Whose church is this? How come a small handful of people are permitted to hijack the ministry of Christ Jesus? What shall we do about it?”
Author’s identity withheld by request.
Send your comment on this report to The Outlook.
Please give your full name and hometown.
