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UBIC Title

Point Men Under Fire

Ray A. Seilhamer
Bishop, 1993-2001

September 1999

In the United States, Christians face opposition from many directions. There is a war over values. The government places restrictions on Christian activities. Hollywood beams pagan themes into our homes.

And yet, we donÕt face outward persecution. At least not like ChristÕs people in other countries. The National Association of Evangelicals is greatly concerned about persecution in China, the Sudan, and elsewhere. Some of our pastors in India encounter life-threatening persecution at the hands of Hindu fundamentalists.

Jesus suffered physically, but he also endured other kinds of hurtsÑbetrayal, rejection, mockery, gossip, doubt, false accusations. So when we speak of sharing in the sufferings of our Lord, there are ways in which we can identify. And, like Jesus, the hurts often come from other religious people. Let me point out some which are common to Christian leaders today.

  • Leaders suffer when people talk negatively behind their back. Criticism and gossip tend to get back to the person being talked about. If you have something against a church leader, keep it to yourself. Make an appointment with the leader and share your concerns privately and personally. To do otherwise is to violate scripture.
  • Leaders suffer when followers quit. One of the gods of our culture is options. If people donÕt like what youÕre doing, they pack up and leave. ItÕs painful to have an individual or a family leave your church without solid grounds.
  • Leaders suffer when they are accused of deception. A leader may be totally up-front with his people, and yet a conspiracy-minded person can organize circumstances in such a way that it looks like the pastor was manipulative and deceptive. We need to be very cautious about accusing people of deception.
  • Leaders suffer when people violate confidences. Many people simply donÕt know how to keep confidences. Leaked information can cause major problems.
  • Leaders suffer when people have unreal expectations. When I was a young Christian, my pastor held a secular job to supplement his church salary. We called him Òthe preacher.Ó Today, itÕs different. Our ministers are expected to be teachers, preachers, counselors, attorneys, evangelists, disciplers, conflict management experts, office managers, desktop publishing aficionados, and construction supervisors. Not to mention model spouses and parents. Compounding the situation are the high expectations ministers often put on themselves. Depression and self-doubt can result when they donÕt live up to their own or other peopleÕs expectations.
  • Leaders suffer when they attempt to bring about change. A large percentage of our churches are culturally irrelevant. If the 1950s come around again, they will have the right philosophy of ministry. But thatÕs not going to happen. The persons who try to lead a church through constructive, needed change sometimes get mangled in the process.
  • Leaders suffer when their congregation no longer wants them. I observe this frequently. Many times circumstances demand a change of pastors, and I sometimes initiate such changesÑbut there is usually pain connected to the process, no matter how diplomatic you are.
  • Leaders suffer when other Christians behave like pagans. I can handle immature Christians who are recent converts. It is the people who have been in the church a long time, yet who behave like non-believersÑcarnal Christians, Paul called themÑwho grieve me most.