9 June 2008
The Letter
One of my closest friends is a pastor in the Georgia
Anyway, my friend’s been through a lot lately with some power hungry elders. I feel for him and every other minister who gives everything they have for the body of Christ only to see one or two self deluded individuals claim that God told them it’s time for their pastor to hang up his pulpit.
I was just seething with righteous indignation as he told me what these men had done not only to him but also to his family with their slander and gossip in the church.
Did I mention that this guy is one of the godliest men I know? We’ve followed each other’s ministries for years. These self appointed prophets of doom aren’t worthy to chew the gum off the bottom of his Tevas! Nevertheless, he’s shown mind boggling patience and grace to these ungrateful power grabbers.
The good news is that the trouble makers are finally gone—kicked out by a couple of godly leaders with backbone. The bad news is that the rat pack has decided to threaten to lob one final grenade on the way out.
What is it you ask?
The Letter
Remember “Friday the 13th?” That was nothing compared to this.
What about Freddy Krueger?
Wimp.
For some in Christian circles, by far the most scary thing imaginable is…
THE LETTER!
Muhahaha!
If a pastor stays true to the Word and makes the tough calls, inevitably, some unbalanced individual is going to throw the “Letter Card!” I’ve had so many thrown I can almost start my own deck!
Why?
Because there’s no arguing with the truth, so these modern day zealots sometimes feel they have little recourse but to prop up their otherwise hopeless and ungodly behavior with a letter campaign. After all, we live in a culture that often goes with the majority. If you can get some numbers behind you, who needs the truth? A lie is juicier and far more exciting than the plain old, boring facts. It’s why slander makes the front page of every newspaper while retractions usually get tucked away near the classifieds.
But then here’s the rub. Ninety-nine percent of the time the letter(s) never arrive. Rarely one might come through from a non Christian, but the backslidden believer usually thinks twice. It would seem most of them come to the logical conclusion (in a rare moment straying from illogic–somewhere between seething anger and the post office) that the very act of sending out the old, “To Whom it May Concern,” starts them off in a very deep hole. You see, most people perceive that an individual who would do this for nebulous reasons at best, is usually the one with the problem.
So I encouraged my friend that in my opinion they were just blowing smoke. I told him to hold fast to what God told him to do to handle the ungodly behavior and that, IMHO, the letters would never materialize.
He seemed doubtful.
So I asked the logical follow up?
Joe? (Not his real name), honestly, is this really the first time some disgruntled person has promised to shower the congregation with their hand written pearls of wisdom?
“Well,” he replied, “Not really. Actually, I’ve had this happen a few times before.”
And?” I continued.
“Nothing came of it…
But this is different!” He insisted.
“No it’s not,” I stubbornly pressed. “It’s not different at all. It’s just fresh, so it feels that way. And what’s more, in a way, if he actually did send it out he would be doing you a favor. Haven’t you ever heard the saying, “Better to close one’s mouth and be thought a fool than to open it and remove all doubt?”
These types of letters tend to remove all doubt more affectively than anything. It’s not biblical. It’s not the way God tells us to handle conflict (Matthew 18), it reveals a total disdain for the body of Christ and the unity and harmony Jesus commands His followers to protect, it’s actually slander, and as such is a prosecutable offense and, finally, it’s the ultimate cowardly act.
Case closed.
But Joe still had some questions.
Anyone ever threaten you with this?”
“Dozens of times,” I told him.
“And?”
“I guess the post office lost them.”
He laughed.
“Actually,” I continued, “I’ve had some go to a few folks.”
He looked horrified.
“What happened?!”
The people of Southbrook—especially the leadership, rallied behind me and the vision God his given us more than ever.
Joe decided to give it to God.
A month and a half ago!
Today he’s doing better than ever and can hardly imagine why he ever gave it a moment’s thought.
7 Comments currently posted.
Jay Foreman says:
Lance Ratliff says:
We have your back Pastor Rob and don’t you forget it.
Sandy says:
I suspect the original has been watered down a bit, but the old saying: ” Better to have people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and prove it”, might have come from Proverbs? Proverbs l7:28 reads: “Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.” Our former pastor received letters sometimes 13 pages long filled with hate and slander. It used to tear his heart apart. At those times, he and his family really needed the love and support from their brothers and sisters in Christ. It is very difficult to hold the position as a pastor. You have friends, but not too many that you can actually confide in for risk of rumors being spread from others to others about others (sounds like an episode of Lost), Although not asked for, I think our pastor and his family needs encouragement, prayer support, and a show of trust. A hug, now and then, wouldn’t hurt either. Have a great day.
Key says:
AMEN to “Joe” for giving it to GOD. (Who has even more mind boggling patience and grace)
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Does anybody else see a correlation between the sandals, great godly Pastors like Rob,(hmm, most of them also wear these shoes), and our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST? Can we see our part as the body of CHRIST? Hint: look for the verbs ~ engage!
People, put your gum in the trash can.
Jody says:
Wow, does this one hit close to home. Certainly not in the sense that I’m a pastor, but in my own personal life comes these times when things are thrown my way and I think it’s going to end the world as I know it. It’s a very painful and scary place to be. At this time you need people in your life (or maybe just one person) that will do just as you did Rob and lifted him up and reminded him that this is not different, but “JUST FRESH”. If more people would remember this, INCLUDING ME, when the going gets tough, we would realize that this is just the devil trying to weezle his way in because he sees the Godly way we are living and wants to put it to a halt. And the longer he keeps us down with fear and worry the weaker we may become and the less we are contributing to Gods Kingdom. One prayer everyone should have for themselves is that God would bring them a friend that would lift them up when times are hard and remind them of just how strong they are, how far they have come, and that all is not lost. Unfortunately some only have friends that love the drama and only add to it.
Overall, what I get from this is that when the ungodly are hard at work we have to remember it is NOT NEW, JUST FRESH. Thank you for making me look at it this way Rob, it will be a huge help, believe me.
Always supporting you, Jody
Suzanne Eller says:
My husband is a deacon in the church, and he considers it a servant position. To serve the pastor and his family, to serve the church, to serve the ministries in the church. He gets to serve beside five other men with the same heart for ministry as elders. One time someone came to him (actually, this has happened more than once) and asked him to “set the pastor straight”, believing that a deacon is a position of power. Once he explains the Biblical meaning of “deacon” and asks if the person would like to pray with him for the pastor, and for direction for the church, or the explains the burden and load on a pastor and his family, or asks them to read Matthew 18 and then proceed, it usually changes things.
I’m so sorry this pastor is having to go through this, but human nature sometimes raises its ugly head. We are all such works in progress, aren’t we?
Shane Storch says:
Pastor Rob, It is such a shame that folks have so much time on their hands to write such long hateful letters about the pastor. In the time it took to be so negative about you or the church, they could of redirected that time into reading the word of God or studying it for goodness sakes. One of my many favorite sayings goes like this ” Let the dogs bark, this caravan is moving on”. My family supports you and the church thanks for all you and your staff do for us.
What a blessing that God has placed you in “Joe’s” life.
It’s no fun being on the receiving end of a churchie Caged Slam Fest. But, most always the face painted mask wearing villains of doom (hiding behind their hooded masks) are useless unless they are in a gang, and end up on the mat in a pile of splatter, half eaten hot dogs and torn up slogan signs.
Stay the course Rob with the wind (His holy Spirit) in your sails and remember I’ve got your back.
I know YOUR heart Rob, you’ve been there for me.
Your friend, Jay