There are some people who are so brave that they hide behind the word "anonymous. They complain anonymously about your ministry, to your Council, or Administrative Bishop and never sign their name to the letters that they write. They are so brave pointing out your faults and complaining about your inadequacies as a leader, yet never speak to you personally or privately about their problem with your leadership because the want to remain unknown. They cause a ruckus hoping to drive you away from your church or damage your influence with your members. Then even get more personal by attacking your character and family. I am not saying that we ministers are above wrong doing, but there is a Biblical way to handle disagreements. Sadly, most pastors cannot be Biblical in many of these situations because usually the troublemaker(s) refuse to co-operate and work out the situation.
Every pastor has had someone deliberately lie on them to impugn their name and character. It seems those involved in this activity think we are too stupid to find out who it is that is causing the commotion. Usually it's the same one's that have caused every pastor a problem that's been at your church before. Sometimes it even spans generations. I have seen that more than once as a pastor and a district overseer. Good does create good, and evil begets evil from generation to generation. Only by the power of God can that curse be broken over a family or a church.
The church seems to be the only place where people will do anything they can to have their way or gain some type of authority. They will use whatever means possible to exert their agenda over a pastor until he gives in or moves away. God gave us a five-fold ministry pattern of leadership and not one time did He say it involved someone seeking control over an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. These individuals have a three-fold purpose according to Ephesians 4:12, but it's verse 13 that should stop every church boss in their tracks. Paul wrote that these in leadership, who fulfill their purpose, have an agenda of unifying the church. Members who attack a spiritual leader for selfish gain defeat that reasoning even before it can take place.
My grandfather faced this kind of behavior in ministry and so did my dad. Unfortunately I did the same. One of my doctors told me that the stress of dealing with these stupid situations over my years of ministry caused the health problems that forced me into early retirement. I cannot undo what has been done, but I can write about it and say that most every pastor tries to do their best to do what God wants them to do and to lead their church in the way God speaks to them about their mission. It may not be what everybody in that local congregation wants, but you will never know what God has in store for your church unless you make the effort to listen and try. Constant resistance and stirring strife is anti-Christ and anti-Biblical. The Word says that if you know to do good and don't do it, it is sin. If you have a beef with your pastor be man or woman enough to come out of the shadows and talk face to face with them. If you still disagree then be Biblical in the next steps. We are laborers together whether we agree on every thing or not. So the next time the anonymous spirit comes on you rebuke it and let God take care of the rest.
The church seems to be the only place where people will do anything they can to have their way or gain some type of authority. They will use whatever means possible to exert their agenda over a pastor until he gives in or moves away. God gave us a five-fold ministry pattern of leadership and not one time did He say it involved someone seeking control over an apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor or teacher. These individuals have a three-fold purpose according to Ephesians 4:12, but it's verse 13 that should stop every church boss in their tracks. Paul wrote that these in leadership, who fulfill their purpose, have an agenda of unifying the church. Members who attack a spiritual leader for selfish gain defeat that reasoning even before it can take place.
My grandfather faced this kind of behavior in ministry and so did my dad. Unfortunately I did the same. One of my doctors told me that the stress of dealing with these stupid situations over my years of ministry caused the health problems that forced me into early retirement. I cannot undo what has been done, but I can write about it and say that most every pastor tries to do their best to do what God wants them to do and to lead their church in the way God speaks to them about their mission. It may not be what everybody in that local congregation wants, but you will never know what God has in store for your church unless you make the effort to listen and try. Constant resistance and stirring strife is anti-Christ and anti-Biblical. The Word says that if you know to do good and don't do it, it is sin. If you have a beef with your pastor be man or woman enough to come out of the shadows and talk face to face with them. If you still disagree then be Biblical in the next steps. We are laborers together whether we agree on every thing or not. So the next time the anonymous spirit comes on you rebuke it and let God take care of the rest.
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