A pastor should not complain about his congregation, certainly never to other people, but also not to God. A congregation has not been entrusted to him in order that he should become its accuser before God and men. When a person becomes alienated from a Christian community in which he has been placed and begins to raise complaints about it, he had better examine himself first to see whether the trouble is not due to his own wish dream that should be shattered by God; and if this be the case, let him thank God for leading him into this predicament. But if not, let him nevertheless guard against ever becoming an accuser of the congregation before God. Let him rather accuse himself for his unbelief. Let him pray God for an understanding of his own failure and his particular sin, and pray that he may not wrong his brethren. Let him, in the consciousness of his own guilt, make intercession for his brethren. Let him to what he is committed to do, and thank God.
Saturday, February 03, 2007
Pastors Complaining About Congregations
From Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Life Together: (HT: dashhouse.com)
Labels:
church,
leadership
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6 comments:
What about those people who use church like a Diet Coke with a Peanut Buster Parfait, trying to "balance" their sin? I don't think personal accountability should ever be shed, and these instructions are more than "turn the other cheek" they are "bury your head in the sand." I should think if I were a Pastor, I would get tired of everything being my fault, not being able to complain, like some kind of "Swiffer" for everyone's sins. It's like the first rule is to see if there's some way to blame yourself. Might as well, at least YOU'LL take responsibility for it, as opposed to the person who actually does the sinning. As for not talking about it, I think it's good for Pastors to be able to blow off steam just like everyone else needs to with their job. I would even say ESPECIALLY Pastors. I grew up Catholic (and still am) and that place hands out guilt at the door, if you know what I mean. Heck, they'll mail it to your house if you don't show up. "Here's the guilt you didn't get on Sunday..." Guilt, guilt, guilt. Like it's the answer to everything. "We're making a Guilt Quilt and we haven't received your square yet..." If they're using it as a means to teach personal accountability, they need to STOP and think of something else.
Great. The new blogger, after reading my message has given me the word verification of "supercalifragilisticexpialadociousandantidistablishmentarianism" and every OTHER letter is capitalized. I'll never get this thing published.
I think there are some pastors who try to 'blame' the problems of their church solely on the congregation. There are also those churches that blame everything on the pastor. What they have is an "us vs. them" mentality (both sides), rather than a 'we're all in this together' sorta thing. And the truth is... we ARE all in this together. And I believe the church is supposed to be groups of people saying, "hey, let's meander about this journey of following Jesus 'with' one another." So we're not kicking each other when we're down, but instead we're trying to help one another up, and along.
I love your line, "We're making a Guilt Quilt and we haven't received your square yet..." Did you make that up? Hilarious! :)
Hey Dan, how does your post from a a year ago ...the difference between unsatisfied and disatisfied....fit into this? I have remembered those words since I read them on your blog.
As for the "phil" card, you're welcome pal.
yeah, that line is about five hours old. If you care to use it someday, the royalties check comes to me. But I'd probably feel to guilty to cash it.
Frank,
Great point - yes, I think the Unsatisfied vs. Dissatisfied post has a lot to do with this. Thanks for bringing it up. There's a big difference between making people feel worthless and trying to encourage people to do better.
I think another issue is in how we read Scripture. It makes a difference if we read it as talking to ME as a "person" than to US as a "people." It's not just about "my" life being different, but transforming the world so things are more "on earth as they are in heaven." imho.
Mike,
Yeah, you can be sure I will use that line. I'll notify the treasurer. :)
"Not just to ME the person, but to US the people" Some good words. Man...you are really smart! Dr Bur would be proud.
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