Post by Arlen on Feb 11, 2020 9:58:45 GMT -6
Two thoughts came to my mind in reading Exodus 31-33.
The first is simply that, when it comes to our physical church--the building and our gathering together for worship, we should give our best. Having a beautiful, well-maintained building gives glory to God and is a witness to the community around us that God is deserving of honor and worship. Similarly, our attitude toward worship, how we dress and how we behave in the church shows others, especially our children that our relationship with God is something important and unique. Reading about the Sabbath reminds me of the farmers in the congregation I grew up in who would refuse to be in the fields on Sunday even when the harvest was an urgent issue. I really can't thank God enough for the example of those pious people.
The second thought comes from the sad episode of the golden calf. Aaron really failed as a leader in the worst way. This is a reminder that our pastors are human beings with human frailties. They are called by God and by our congregations, well educated, and almost always absolutely committed to sharing the Gospel in truth and purity. As an aside, I will say that hanging out with a group of pastors is one of the most enjoyable and uplifting experiences I can name. But, back to the golden calf. Pastors are human and once in a great while, one fails to live up to his calling. I can think of two episodes of which I am aware where a pastor's behavior was a serious problem to his congregation. This is tragic, but it can hardly be unexpected given human nature and the extra effort that Satan must apply to those who lead the faithful. Fortunately, Bethany is now blessed with a steadfast and well-grounded pastor who I am confident will fulfill his office faithfully and very well. I think, though, that it is important that Christians in general and we specifically as Missouri Synod Lutherans know that the possibility exists that we may at some time encounter a pastor who does or teaches something wrong. How do we know when that is happening, and what do we do about it if we think this is the case?
The answer to the first part of the question is easy. We should be actively in the Word ourselves. This lectionary program is a wonderful step in that direction. As Lutherans, we have a resource for understanding scripture in the Lutheran confessions, the Book of Concord. While some parts of this are heavy going, it is filled with clear and passionate explanation of the faith. When it comes to disagreement on matters of doctrine, it is our solid resource for understanding what we believe, teach, and confess.
The second question is more challenging to most people. What do you do if you think the pastor is out of line in his teaching or in some other way? The answer here is simple but not easy. The Office of the Keys is the pattern: Speak to him one on one. If you are convinced he is wrong and won't listen, involve a few others. In this case, I would say it should be the church Elders who are involved. What if the problem persists? I think this is where most of our laymen are perhaps unaware of the options. Although I was totally out of the loop at the time, Bethany saw several of its Elders leave the congregation overnight some years ago. I know nothing of the circumstances, but I've always felt that this loss of faithful members was tragic and the wrong response to a situation that apparently was threatening the congregation. The organization of the Synod provides help for such situations, and I don't think most people know it. Our congregation is part of a circuit--a local group of congregations whose pastors meet every month or so. When I was a kid, I think there were more activities that made people aware of the circuit, but now I suspect many people are unaware of it. At any rate, the pastors of each circuit choose one of their number to be circuit counselor, who functions as a sort of pastor to the pastors. He also serves as advisor to other congregations in the circuit, notably when there is a vacancy. He is also a resource if there is a problem within a congregation, particularly when the pastor is part of the problem. Here is Cedar Rapids, we also have the District Office as a readily available resource.
My key point is that, while the pastor has a unique call to serve the congregation, each of us is called to support the body of Christ in this time and place. We fail in our calling if we let something that we know to be wrong (contrary to scripture and our confessions) slide or if we abandon ship rather than work to correct what we know is wrong. Our place is in the church. That is where God wants us to be and where we need to be. We have a responsibility to everyone in our congregation. If we are in a congregation that believes, teaches, and confesses the truth, that is where God wants us even if we have to work through problems or learn to live with others who share our common belief but have different tastes or attitudes about nonessential things.
The first is simply that, when it comes to our physical church--the building and our gathering together for worship, we should give our best. Having a beautiful, well-maintained building gives glory to God and is a witness to the community around us that God is deserving of honor and worship. Similarly, our attitude toward worship, how we dress and how we behave in the church shows others, especially our children that our relationship with God is something important and unique. Reading about the Sabbath reminds me of the farmers in the congregation I grew up in who would refuse to be in the fields on Sunday even when the harvest was an urgent issue. I really can't thank God enough for the example of those pious people.
The second thought comes from the sad episode of the golden calf. Aaron really failed as a leader in the worst way. This is a reminder that our pastors are human beings with human frailties. They are called by God and by our congregations, well educated, and almost always absolutely committed to sharing the Gospel in truth and purity. As an aside, I will say that hanging out with a group of pastors is one of the most enjoyable and uplifting experiences I can name. But, back to the golden calf. Pastors are human and once in a great while, one fails to live up to his calling. I can think of two episodes of which I am aware where a pastor's behavior was a serious problem to his congregation. This is tragic, but it can hardly be unexpected given human nature and the extra effort that Satan must apply to those who lead the faithful. Fortunately, Bethany is now blessed with a steadfast and well-grounded pastor who I am confident will fulfill his office faithfully and very well. I think, though, that it is important that Christians in general and we specifically as Missouri Synod Lutherans know that the possibility exists that we may at some time encounter a pastor who does or teaches something wrong. How do we know when that is happening, and what do we do about it if we think this is the case?
The answer to the first part of the question is easy. We should be actively in the Word ourselves. This lectionary program is a wonderful step in that direction. As Lutherans, we have a resource for understanding scripture in the Lutheran confessions, the Book of Concord. While some parts of this are heavy going, it is filled with clear and passionate explanation of the faith. When it comes to disagreement on matters of doctrine, it is our solid resource for understanding what we believe, teach, and confess.
The second question is more challenging to most people. What do you do if you think the pastor is out of line in his teaching or in some other way? The answer here is simple but not easy. The Office of the Keys is the pattern: Speak to him one on one. If you are convinced he is wrong and won't listen, involve a few others. In this case, I would say it should be the church Elders who are involved. What if the problem persists? I think this is where most of our laymen are perhaps unaware of the options. Although I was totally out of the loop at the time, Bethany saw several of its Elders leave the congregation overnight some years ago. I know nothing of the circumstances, but I've always felt that this loss of faithful members was tragic and the wrong response to a situation that apparently was threatening the congregation. The organization of the Synod provides help for such situations, and I don't think most people know it. Our congregation is part of a circuit--a local group of congregations whose pastors meet every month or so. When I was a kid, I think there were more activities that made people aware of the circuit, but now I suspect many people are unaware of it. At any rate, the pastors of each circuit choose one of their number to be circuit counselor, who functions as a sort of pastor to the pastors. He also serves as advisor to other congregations in the circuit, notably when there is a vacancy. He is also a resource if there is a problem within a congregation, particularly when the pastor is part of the problem. Here is Cedar Rapids, we also have the District Office as a readily available resource.
My key point is that, while the pastor has a unique call to serve the congregation, each of us is called to support the body of Christ in this time and place. We fail in our calling if we let something that we know to be wrong (contrary to scripture and our confessions) slide or if we abandon ship rather than work to correct what we know is wrong. Our place is in the church. That is where God wants us to be and where we need to be. We have a responsibility to everyone in our congregation. If we are in a congregation that believes, teaches, and confesses the truth, that is where God wants us even if we have to work through problems or learn to live with others who share our common belief but have different tastes or attitudes about nonessential things.