Pastors. You are leaders. You are shepherds. You are humans.
I am one of you. I love you and I hurt with you. I love the church. I love God's people. I love you and want the best for you therefore I am compelled to pen this blog.
I write this as an open letter to any and all pastors and church leaders.
(This is a follow up to my last month's blog: dear-witnesses-observers)
Due to recent events in a prominent church here in America, I'm compelled to write to remind us, to remind you, me, all pastors, leaders and elders of the church, God's people small or large, organized in any way, whether it be in a living room or a building of fifty thousand..that we are called to truth and integrity. This is how Jesus invites us to live and the way we live will always affect others.
Truth is rising in the shadows. My heart is so heavy in so many ways as is yours pastors because you carry the stories of so many, let alone the burdens of what we see happening in the American church today (and in the news, politics, etc).
That is why we need to speak out and address the toxic, racist, misogynistic, homophobic, evil words and actions taking place in our world whether they happen in public or in private. We need to address what's going on in our country and our states and cities.
These atrocities (racial biases, sexual harassment, inequality in the workplace, LGBT bullying) every day in our schools, workplaces, communal spaces, and yes, even churches.
This is the great work of God entrusted to us. To take care of people, to help those who feel voiceless, support those who are weak, to hear those sharing their pain, to acknowledge their stories even when they don't make sense or we can't connect with them. It's our job to seek justice on their behalf.
Our silence is profound.
Our silence speaks louder than any sermon, scripture, or Sunday school lesson.
Stop this insanity.
Stop making excuses.
I'm afraid that spending all our time preaching the good news of the Bible that we've missed opportunities to be the good news to the real human beings who need our love, comfort, support and healing.
On behalf of people of color, the LGBTQ community, and women everywhere who have been ostracized, rejected and especially those who have been abused, coerced, or manipulated in any way sexually---it's time to admit, it's time to change, it's time to do right, it's time to do better!
If this year, or two has taught us anything it's the power of the people. It's the power and radical movement of those who bind together in the name of justice to bring truth to the light.
It will always come. It will always find a way. Pastors listen. Open your ears to hear what the Spirit is saying and have eyes to see what the Spirit is doing. Stop spending all your time planning and preaching your sermons, overworking to grow your church's Sunday attendance while running your staff into the ground, taking advantage of your volunteers..while overlooking the needs of the human beings who need us to make a real difference in their lives.
As of Wednesday August 8th, Willow Creek, a church in which I have admired, participated in, followed, and been shepherded by--has come forward to admit their wrongs (linked above) and address their deep grievances against women who accused their lead/founding pastor of sexual misconduct. After years and recent months of denying these allegations publicly and calling the victimized women liars...they are finally taking responsibility..they are listening, repenting and the current lead pastors even resigned as well as the elders have stepped down as they call their lead pastor to accountability.
I have friends on staff there and I have reached out to them.
I know this must be devastating.
I've been a part of four churches in my life and I've watched pastors and leaders fall into adulterous relationships, I've watched pastors be fired for misconduct, and I've watched pastors go to jail for horrendous crimes of sexual nature. No one wins in these situations. I do not gloat or gossip about these experiences. They are painful and hurtful for all involved.
What's happening at Willow Creek right now is the right call-- that should have happened long ago, but I'm grateful to see that justice is being served. It's heartbreaking because I count myself as a pastor and follower of Jesus and I'm disappointed in us, in the tribe I belong to. We are better than this. It should have happened sooner and better. As I look back I'm thankful that MANY did speak up and counsel their leadership to see the truth...and now they can admit it and start healing and bettering their church, leadership systems and accountability.
If you are in ANY way aware of pastors abusing their power and authority, report it now. Call it out. And if in any way you or anyone you know has molested, abused, and/or sexually abused anyone in any way...alert the authorities.
These are HARD calls, but these are the RIGHT calls. Because the truth will come out.
Other leaders take note.
I don't care if it happened one year ago or forty years ago, get honest. If you have had an affair breached sexual integrity in any way, don't let time keep going with out seeking help, confessing and surrendering your platform of leadership. Stop preaching Sunday after Sunday. You need healing. You need help.
If you know someone who has, DO NOT KEEP THAT SECRET FOR THEM.
Stop making excuses. Tell the truth.
God is worth it. God will make it right, it will be painful, but it's necessary. You are worth it and God will work this out.
On another note. The church is both an organization and it is a business. Why do we wait so long to do the right thing?
Fire people.
Fire toxic people who don't treat people well.
Fire people who abuse their power.
Fire people who hurt others.
Fire people who don't do their job,
Stop making excuses.
I don't care if you a church, you should be doing your due diligence to review your staff and pastors and make adjustments, ensure people reach their goals or...bye bye!
Yes, we are a people of grace but some times the most graceful thing we can do to someone is let them go, so they can move on, mature, grow, and heal into the person God wants them to be. I've seen way too many people stay in in jobs, volunteer roles, or positions of power because people were too scared to speak up. While in the mean time the church has suffered. The kingdom of God suffers. Pastors, do better.
I say this out of love
And by the way, huge kudos to pastors who grow young leaders and coach others, sharing the pulpit with others, appointing women and entrusting youth. This is true leadership. Kudos to those of you men and women doing the right thing. Standing up for the oppressed and risking your jobs and lives for it. I see you. I thank you. I am inspired by you. History is being made. This is a new reformation pastors. Believe it. Live it.
The life and character and love of Jesus is worth this.
Pastors have the courage to lead.
Leading means being humble.
Leadership means admitting when you're wrong.
God still loves you, even when there are deep consequences
God is the true leader of his church.
We are not God. You are not God.
Step down. It may be time.
Ok. That's my two cents.
I will write my next blog to those who have been hurt and victimized by church leaders or those who claim to follow Christ. My heart hurts with you. I'm sorry for your pain.
