I hesitate to write this. This is something I believe we should be open with our children, and others of faith about, especially in today’s world. But I’m worried it will be misunderstood.
In my Church, it is our practice and our belief that we shouldn’t speak evil of our Church Leaders. I think that that is a good general rule.
But what if our Church Leaders have done something wrong? Does that belief preclude notifying proper authorities? Should we remain silent and not say anything? The answer to this, I believe strongly is NO! But often we are told that because they are Church Leaders they know what is best.
Our children and those not as firm in faith need to understand the difference.
It is my solid belief that we have a responsibility to receive our own personal revelation or witness that what someone is saying is true and from God. I believe it is our duty and privilege to ask God if we are being led in the right direction. I believe that God hears and answers our prayers. So what do you do when something has been done by one of these Church Leaders that is inappropriate if not strictly evil?
Several years ago I was placed in a situation where a Church Leader did something I vehemently disagreed with and felt was wrong. (To be clear, it was not something illegal.) I went to his superior after much thought and prayer. This was not something I wanted to do. After I reported the issue, his superior talked to this Church Leader and the Church Leader told him that I was lying. I was already very upset over this issue and being called a liar shook my faith in this man as a Church Leader and a Man of God. They asked if I still stood behind what I had said. I do. It isn’t my practice to tell tales.
In our church, we believe that when a man abuses his Priesthood, it’s amen to his Priesthood. Hurt, and distressed, I no longer trusted this man who had been called to lead me. I fully expected him to be dismissed from his leadership position at the very least, or hellfire and damnation to be rained down on him. (I was that upset…)
I sat and waited on the Lord. And nothing happened!!! But something did happen as I sat and waited on the Lord. I poured out my broken heart to him. I put my trust in him as the God who knows all. -An Ordinary Mom Click To TweetInstead of hellfire and damnation, what I found was- God was changing me.
He was telling me just how very much he loves me. He showed me that he loves this Church Leader not anymore and not any less than he loves me. Just as he continues to forgive me and give me chances to make mistakes and grow, he was giving this Church Leader the same opportunities, the same grace, the same love.
I didn't have the complete picture. But God did. I learned that I could trust the Lord as I sat and waited for him. Click To Tweet
He loves me, and he changed the situation when I could no longer handle it. All I had to do was ask for help and he was there.
I’m profoundly grateful for this experience. If ever at any time I was going to leave the church, to leave God, this would have been it. But I made it out the other side stronger, and with greater faith in the love of God.
Stand for truth, but let God lead. -An Ordinary Mom Click To Tweet
Thanks for sharing your story and your personal journey. It is not easy to reveal yourself to a faceless world online.
Thank you.
I’m going through something similar now. It is very difficult and consumes my thoughts. Thank you for body posting about this issue. It seems to be a problem, as Satan tries to attack every which way he can.
I will pray for you. This is such a trying thing. I’m so sorry you are going through this. Knowing that God loved me and knew the truth of the situation was the only thing that got me through it.
Thank you for sharing with #TriumphantTales, do come back next week to find out what we are up to, to celebrate two years of the linky!
Congratulations!
oh goodness, that would have been hard. We are all human and his original mistake was bad enough, but to lie would have also really shaken my foundation. Handing it to God is the absolute best approach and I am so glad He provided you with the comfort and knowledge that our peace comes thru Him.
Thank you. It was an extremely trying time, and one I wouldn’t wish on anyone but I really did grow from it.
Thank you for sharing. We can learn in all situations but some lessons are harder than others. Sounds like you are a smart woman.
I don’t know how smart, but I do try and learn from my experiences.
Thank you for sharing your story. It is hard to get the balance sometimes between having the proper respect for church leaders but also remembering that they are human beings and they won’t always get it right. I love your testimony of how God sustained you through that difficult experience and taught you more of his grace and forgiveness.
Thank you. It wasn’t a fun time but I learned a lot.
I find it hard to reconcile when Christian leaders do wrong too. I know they are only human, but doesn’t God hold them to a higher standard? I love how you turned it around and realized that God loves them just as much as He loves me. He is working out their Salvation too and we are all imperfect.
Thank you.
May God continue to wrap His arms around you, in comfort, in encouragement, in His precious love that holds us steady in Him. His peace truly does pass all our possible understanding, doesn’t it? We can’t know all but we can trust in the One Who does.
Thank you for sharing this, Calleen. I am encouraged today.
Thank you for reading and taking the time to respond. May God bless and encourage you.
I’m sorry you had that happen to you. I’ve been hurt in the church too. Both as a church member by a leader and then as a pastor’s wife by church members. Satan is at work trying to make the church ugly on the inside on all sides. I don’t understand why we fall to his schemes so easily as people in the church. I do know this—I have grown tremendously in the experiences. I’m so thankful that you’ve chosen to persevere. Thank you for sharing….
Thanks for stopping in and reading and then sharing your thoughts.
It is amazing how Christians will fall into the he said / she said trap isn’t it?
It is. Thanks for stopping by.
Thank you for sharing! ♥
Thank you for reading.
What a wonderful example of Christ’s forgiveness and mercy. We are called to forgive even people who do not deserve it. God made you a better person. Blessings to you!
Thank you.