Two years ago I needed urgent surgery to clean out a blocked carotid artery. It was a matter of life and death.
There are health freaks who don't fancy medication or surgery. Some thrive on a healthy diet, regular relaxation and exercise. Nevertheless, even healthy people are sometimes attacked by life-threatening diseases.
You don't need surgery until you need surgery.
But imagine having a family doctor who has one solution for every problem, surgery!
Many of his patients would die.
Once I was in a church where almost every sermon was judgemental and intimidating.
Anyone who had problems was to receive intensive pastoral care with two pastors. One absolutely had to obey the directions of these pastors.
Anyone who expressed a different opinion from the pastor was excommunicated. The pastors claimed to be holy men of God. What they said was supposedly from God Himself.
We sometimes need a surgeon. We also sometimes need evangelists and guest preachers who speak strongly of holiness and obedience. When many Christians are involved in pornography, sometimes we need a warning.
The word pastor means shepherd. But pastors and elders need to be like good family doctors who encourage and help. A good shepherd does not punish his sheep with harsh blows.
A preacher or leader who rules with intimidation has no right to exercise authority.
Paul founded the church in Corinth, but later self-appointed authoritarian preachers emerged who bullied the believers. Paul said that such preachers should not be obeyed.
You put up with it when someone enslaves you, takes everything you have, takes advantage of you, takes control of everything, and slaps you in the face. 2 Corinthians 11:20 NLT
Are we then to despise all authority and all leadership, as some headstrong Christians do?
Paul taught mutual submission.
Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 NRSV
Christians should respect and take pastors seriously, but pastors must also respect and take all Christians seriously.
What did Jesus say about this?
“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers.
And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.
Nor are you to be called ‘teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ.
The greatest among you will be your servant. Matthew 23:8–11 NIV84
Churches are often corrupted by arrogant leadership, but strife, rebellion and stubbornness are not the answer. When leaders rule with intimidation and bullying, you may leave. Just leave if you can.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognise them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:15–16 NIV84
Jesus warns not only against heretics with unbiblical doctrines, but also against preachers who rule without love and humility, even if their doctrine is correct.
Christian communities need order and respect, but where there is bullying and strife, the Body of Christ becomes like a sick person with an autoimmune disease. The body consumes itself.
As Christians and as congregations we are called to reach out to hurting and needy people, both inside the church and in the world outside.
When our love grows cold and we just strive to build and maintain our ministries or congregations, we are in danger of developing spiritual autoimmune disease.
