Hide Me From the Fools
This story is getting so old. A pastor in Pennsylvania. A pastor in South Carolina. A pastor in California. Another pastor in Illinois. Same story, variations on a theme. I used to tell men and women in counseling, that nothing they say in counseling is going to shock me. I have been around too long to hear anything new; I just hear variations on themes of how sin complicates and destroys lives. But this is different. Since I have retired from the pastorate and started working with caring for pastors through Standing Stone Ministry, I have heard stories of abuse and deception AGAINST pastors that is truly demonic.
So, I am not going to share the dirty details. But here’s what I will tell you.
First, when you are actively engaged in ministry for the glory of God and His kingdom, you will be the attacked. No exceptions. Every enemy knows that the way to weaken and destroy their enemy is to kill, undermine, and compromise leadership. And that is what the evil one tries to do every day in our churches.
Second, be very careful who you select as elders, deacons or church council leaders. Whatever your polity, these people, in these important positions are both necessary and dangerous. Make sure you select people of real integrity and godly character. Stay away from people who are ambitious for power. Stay away from people who have a reputation of manipulating situations for personal benefit. Stay away from people who were constantly critical of your last pastor. Avoid like the plague, anyone who is prone to secrecy and private meetings with other leaders. Never let a gossip into leadership.
Third, study hard the texts in the New Testament that bear on leadership in the Church. (The pastoral epistles, [1 and 2 Timothy, and Titus], Hebrews 13; and of course, the Gospels). Here is a wonderful resource by McCheney [LINK] that will help you protect your pastor from all of these maladies and trouble makers.
Fourth, pray for your pastors. Pray often. Pray hard. Pray the Scripture. Pray with others.
Fifth, pray with an awareness that even the best leaders are made of flesh and need your support, because like David, they might have others around them like those that David wrote about in Psalm 64.
- In verse 1, David asks God for protection.
- In verses 2-6, he describes the closed door, secret duplicity of those plotting against him.
- In verses 7-9, he declares that he knows what God will do to them.
- And finally, in verse 10, he speaks of the delight that the people of God will have when God vindicates the righteous.
