Loyalty

It’s been awhile since I’ve penned my thoughts on paper. I’ve been doing a lot of reading and studying as I wait for God to reveal what he has next for me. My passion is leadership development and I’ve been gleaning wisdom from various authors, leaders, and pastors. An interesting podcast was shared with me recently that got me thinking, and that thinking has led me here to this moment of writing.

The pastor that was being interviewed on a leadership podcast was a former pastor of mine, as both a church member and as a staff member. He shared about a time when there was an exodus to his congregation a few years prior. My family and I were part of that exodus. He stated that he attributed it to a new vision set for the church that many longtime attendees did not agree with and consequently chose to leave the church. He used the label of those that left, as “non-loyals”. He saw them as no longer loyal to the church, namely him and this new vision. There was a bitterness in his speech that was evident. As an added gut punch: this was pure assumption on his part, since those I know were never asked why they left.

As I look back at that time when my family and I made the decision to leave, it truly was a loyalty issue. However, not like you may think. We made the decision to be loyal followers of Jesus and the Big C - Church. We listened to the Holy Spirit when it was quite clear that it was time for us to leave. Knowing many others that left around that same time, I would say that was very true for them as well. Most that left had strong faith and were prayerful in their decision. Leaving was prompted by the Holy Spirit and we are all called to listen to his promptings. More than anything we are called to be loyal followers of our Lord, Jesus Christ! When we follow a pastor or any designated ministry leader, we fall victim to idolatry.

We are living in a world of brokenness and fallenness. Churches are not exempt from this suffering. We are seeing pastors and church leaders crumble in sin, leaving us shaken to the core of our faith. We need to come together and stay strong and loyal to the only one worthy of our praise and worship: Jesus. Set your gaze above all man, to the only One able to repair and rebuild the broken and fallen. I’m saddened by what is happening in churches around the world, and Satan is loving it. Don’t be fooled though - God is still very much in control and can redeem all for His glory! Until that happens, Christians must stand strong, united in faith, and pray for healing. And....let us never lose sight of where our loyalty must remain! As proclaimed by Jesus in Luke 23, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” ~ Psalm 143:10