|
Gossiping & Dissention Causing Church Members
 Leader: Pastor D
While I hesitate to call these folks wolves, I do believe we must deal firmly in this area. The words we speak have the power to build up or to destroy. Living in a democratic society, we may have mistakenly adopted the idea that the way to have influence in the church is to talk against a thing so as to cause others to join in dissent in hope of changing or stopping it. This is an evil practice that has destroyed untold numbers of churches, pastors, and new believers. The Bible calls it gossip and strife and warns against practicing it. While it is common pratice in politics it has no place in the church and the Bible has serious warnings against it..
1Co 3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?
Jas 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.
Titus 1:10 For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision,11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.
There will be times when you will have to confront people for rumors and gossip. It is important to remember that you and your leadership team have been given the responsibility to protect the church. Sometimes people will accept your correction, other time they will defend their right to free speech. When this happens you have a serious problem on your hands that must be addressed with great care & prayer.
It is important to have agreement on your leadership team before you proceed. After a person has rejected your correction you will need to take someone with you to confront this person again. If they still reject your correction then your leadership team should confront them. If this still doesn't resolve the issue then a decision may need to be made concerning this person continuing in fellowship with the church. Matthew 18:15-17
When you get to this level it will be very difficult, but very necessary to stay resolute. It is the most loving thing you can do for the people as well as for the one who is causing dissention. Serving as a pastor is not easy. Some people will love you, others will passionately hate you, and blame you for all their problems. Knowing you are called of God is essential at this moment. If you are a pastor for the right reasons God will give you wisdom and strength to stand when it gets tough.
Other people in the church will see your courage and love as you take a godly stand to protect the church. This will only strengthen your leadership in the eyes of those who truly want to serve God. There will be others who will not understand why you are taking such a stand. Pray for them so that the Devil will not be able to blind their eyes and deceive them into joining the wrong side of the spiritual struggle.
Make no mistake that this is a spiritual struggle. The enemy works through people. Even through well meaning good people. He wants them to see a distorted picture of what is happening. Agreement with leadership is essential in winning this spiritual battle.
|
Home
