I was spending time with one of my pastor friends from Ghana, West Africa (he ministered for us on "International Sunday"). As is the case so often, the subject of rebellion came up.
There is not a pastor, manager, parent, or leader anywhere in time past or present who has not had to deal with rebellion.
I have learned that you can't counsel rebellion; and, in my ignorance, I have even attempted to pastor it. It cannot be pastored, loved, corrected, swept under the carpet or pampered. It must be stopped. It must be cut off. It's influence must be minimized, because innocent people always get trapped in the web of rebellion.
How did God deal with it? Like a lightening strike, He dealt with it swiftly. Even in the perfect environment of Heaven, rebellion found company. Rebellion will always play the part of the victim and find others to take the fall with it.
Absolom gives us a tremendous picture of rebellion. When David returned to his palace after the death of his son Absolom, he would not sleep with his wives (they had slept with his son Absolom). Why? For many reasons, I'm sure. For one, if one of them became pregnant, he would not know who the real father was. We must be careful to deal quickly with rebellion in the church, because when we fail to do so and our people become pregnant with doctrine, philosphy, or vision....we will not know if they are impregnated with rebellion.
Pastors, are you dealing with rebellion swiftly? What are your experiences? What are your thoughts?
I'm wondering what connection there might be between discontentment and rebellion.
ReplyDeleteWhen a church changes pastors, usually some prefer the way the old pastor did things. These people are discontent regarding any changes. Does this make them rebellious?
Does it become rebellion when discontent people take words or action against the authority figure, or could discontentment be considered rebellion of the heart?
I agree that genuine rebellion must be dealt with. We must be careful however to ensure that what we are dealing with is truly rebellion and not simply a person with an opinion different than our own. I have often learned the greatest lessons by giving careful and prayerful consideration to those whose points of view vary from my own. (Iron sharpens iron) A person who simply does not see things in the same ways that we do is entirely different than an intentional antagonist.May we ask God for discernment to know the difference.
ReplyDelete