Tuesday, January 21, 2014

 

When Preachers and Elders Don't Agree about the Core Beliefs

Preachers and elders do not always agree.  If they cannot learn to work together in peace, then preachers end up leaving.  Or elders fire them.  And it can be painful and damaging to a congregation.  So here are a few of my thoughts on what to do when elders and preachers disagree.

When you cannot agree on core beliefs, there is no room for compromise.

This happens when a preacher is convicted that a belief -- and action affirming that belief -- must be upheld to be the church God intends.  They elders do not share that conviction.  Or,it might be that the elders insist on a core doctrine that the preacher cannot endorse.

If after prayer, study, and discussion the core beliefs are still not in unison... then I do not believe the situation is resolvable.  Because if either preacher of elder believes something is core, then you cannot compromise.  But be sure you believe souls are at stake.  The position you hold must be something you would stake the souls of the flock upon.

So for the preacher, resign and do not be shy about telling people why.  After all, you believe that souls are at stake.  You cannot be true to your prophetic call if you do not express it.

Elders, if your preacher will not resign... fire him.  And do not by shy about telling why.  After all, you believe that souls are at stake.  You cannot be true to your call as an shepherd if you do not refute false teaching.

Regular readers will know that I, along with the elders and ministerial staff, have worked with my home congregation, Southern Hills church of Christ in Abilene, to help our ministers and elders develop our core convictions -- what matters.  And we communicate these to the congregation.  We communicate them in our class for those who want to be part of our community of faith.  And all of our elders and ministers subscribe to them.

These are the things that are essential to the salvation of our community of faith.

I can absolutely promise that if we ever had a minister that over time changed his/her view of what we believe is core, there would be no hesitation in firing them.  And explaining to the congregation why.

And if our eldership ever abandoned these, I would expect our ministers to resign.  In fact, I would leave with them.  And would help them communicate why to the congregation.

When souls are at stake, there is no other way.  I would expect a preacher to be loyal to what he believes is God's will.  He has to answer to God for what he preaches.

And there is no other option for elders.  They are responsible for the souls entrusted to them by God.  

But this is rarely the situation that leads to that kind of gut-wrenching, tear up the congregation, action.  In fact, I have only seen this happen a few times over the years.

So in future posts, I will share other situations where elders and preachers may not agree.


Comments: Post a Comment

<< Home

This page is powered by Blogger. Isn't yours?