The Struggle IS Real

Posted on by kevinjandt

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Life is hard…

We know the reality that nobody ever promised smooth sailing.  In fact, I think it’s beneficial to the human condition that struggles are present.  Without struggle apathy and lethargy take its place.  This is not healthy.  I’ve read the trees that make the best violins are the ones that are most battered by winds.  They are also the most difficult to harvest.

What purpose does struggle serve?

For the Christian, its design is to turn us to Christ.  To cause us to see our weaknesses and turn to the One that promises to never leave nor forsake.  This is a great assurance.  It forces us to hope in something that is outside of ourselves.

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.  1 Thessalonians 1:3-4

The unbelieving world does not recognize a hope in Christ that the Christian so faithfully relies upon.  It’s a great privilege to place your hope in someone else.  The object of our hope is what is in view here.  One that conquered sin and death.

The struggle is also real for the unbeliever and so they turn to other remedies and more often than not turn to self and self-reliance.  The Christian is to be pitied for his weak and feeble mind, for his belief in “fairy tales” and the like.  Without any real analysis of the truth claims they make and the truth claims the Bible makes.

So today, when you think on your troubles, know they are for your benefit and the Glory of God if you are in Christ.  If not today is the day to turn to Christ.  He is “THE” great hope.

 

Kevin

Meditate

Posted on by kevinjandt

Have you ever looked at a sunset and said, meh… it’s okay… You look, you turn away and then you don’t ever think about it again?

I’ve done that, and I would imagine you have as well. Of course, not all sunsets are created equal and not all of them hit us in the same way.

For example, we can’t always see them clearly or we aren’t always in an environment to see the horizon. You don’t always have a massive sky such as when viewing it from a mountain or looking across the water.

Scripture is like this sometimes. We read the words and move on. Familiarity breeds contempt or so they say.

But sometimes, it pops… it sets us on our heels and blows our minds.

1 Timothy 4:15
Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress.

The interesting thing here is the word practice means to meditate.

“That sunset is amazing…” Let’s sit here for a while and just watch it, think and be amazed at God’s creation.

Yes, do that.

But meditate more deeply and more consistently on the words of life. Never grow bored with the Bible. It beheld in the glory of Christ is far more brilliant than the most amazing sunset you’ll ever see, for the purpose of making your progress evident.

There are many an uncoverted Bible scholar walking around.  Don’t grow for growth’s sake.  Meditate that they know you’ve been with the Lord.

Kevin

I’m Back

Posted on by kevinjandt

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I’ve recently felt the desire to write.  I’ve taken a break.  I’ve taken a long break.  My site says it’s been 7 months.  That is by far the longest I’ve let this blog sit here with nothing new.

Why you might ask?

Maybe I’ve been busy, not sure.  Well really, I know why, but I’m not ready to share that with you just yet but it’s getting closer.

I really wanted to write and post something because I do enjoy it and it’s something that gives me a sense of accomplishment.  But then again, it’s not about that.  After all, I shoveled snow today and that provided plenty of “accomplishment”.

I’m thankful to a friend that I’ve followed his blogging streak.  I saw him this past weekend and we had a nice chat about it so I’m partially getting started because Pat motivated me.  Thanks, buddy, I appreciate it.

I write exclusively or maybe mostly, almost always, or always from a Christian perspective.

After-all… I’m a Christian and thankful to be a Christian.  So, I don’t do it to feel better about myself, to be therapeutic, but it is all those things.  I do it for the glory of Christ.  I do it because I desire to honor Him in my life.  And that brings me to my point.

Life is short.  We are all created for a purpose.  That single purpose is to glorify our Creator.

All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O LORD, and shall glorify your name. Psalm 86:9

How simple is this reality yet so distant for us to fully grasp in this dog eat dog world we live in.  Maybe it’s time to slow down and just contemplate the purpose for which you were created.  You are a worshiper.   You were made to worship.  But worship outside of the One True God is called idolatry.

Turn your attention and your affections to the LORD.  He will never disappoint.

And so that is what I’ve decided to do here for a season.   Write some short devotional material in a conversational sort of a way.   I hope you like it.

 

Many blessings

 

Kevin

Churches That Abuse – Final Thoughts

Posted on by kevinjandt

Jesus_Saves_Neon_Cross_Sign_Church_2011_Shankbone

In this post I’ll be wrapping up my review of Ronald M. Enroth’s book Churches that Abuse, I have some final thoughts, admonitions and hope for this series.  I hope that someone may recognize the characteristics of an abusive church and know how to stand against them.  It is also an admonition and warning those that continue in and support these churches to stop supporting them and work toward change or leave them.  Since the garden, Satan has been working to disrupt and distract from the simplicity of the gospel message.  Christ has established the church to bring glory and honor to Himself and the adversary is constantly working to distract us from the gospel message.  Let us not forget it is Christ’s church.

Pastoral abuse can be spotted quite easily, at least in its advanced stages.  Abusive religion substitutes human power for true freedom in Christ.  Unquestioning obedience and blind loyalty are its hallmarks.  Leaders who practice spiritual abuse exceed the bounds of legitimate authority and “lord it over the flock,” often intruding into the personal lives of members. God’s will is something that they determine for you rather than something you individually seek to know.  Abusive leaders are self-centered and adversarial rather than reconciling and restorative.[1]

God’s sheep can experience abuse, but they can also be complicit in the act of abuse; Paul warned Timothy these things would happen.  Paul’s warning against “easy believe-ism” in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 applies just as much to conservative churches.

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.  2 Timothy 4:3-4

Notice, Paul writes about people having teachers “to suit their own passions…” Have you ever known a legalist?  They love legalism.

Have you ever wondered why it’s so difficult to leave an abusive relationship?

Abused individuals sometimes turn away from listening to the truth and they prefer myths. There becomes a level of comfort with the situation.  The Stockholm Syndrome can become a very real thing.  Abusive teachers stay in power because the people either tolerate them or even celebrate them.

What protects sheep from abuse?  Who monitors them?  Biblically, a plurality among leadership is helpful except when they all believe and support the same theories  or have one dominant personality or confrontation and disagreement is not allowed.

Confessions of faith are a safeguard, yet even confessional churches can fall into the trap of authoritarianism.  The 2nd London Baptist Confession of Faith of 1689 offers a remedy:

Chapter 26 – Paragraph 15. In cases of difficulties or differences, either in point of doctrine or administration, wherein either the churches in general are concerned, or any one church, in their peace, union, and edification; or any member or members of any church are injured, in or by any proceedings in censures not agreeable to truth and order: it is according to the mind of Christ, that many churches holding communion together, do, by their messengers, meet to consider, and give their advice in or about that matter in difference, to be reported to all the churches concerned;29 howbeit these messengers assembled, are not intrusted with any church-power properly so called; or with any jurisdiction over the churches themselves, to exercise any censures either over any churches or persons; or to impose their determination on the churches or officers.30
29 Acts 15:2,4,6,22,23,25
30 2 Cor. 1:24; 1 John 4:1[2]

It’s important for local churches to have other local churches that come together and solve problems that have moved beyond the singular local church.  But is it even possible for abusive churches or authoritarian leaders to seek and follow counsel from outside sources? Notice the purpose is not “to impose their determination on the churches or officers” but to counsel with them. Authoritarian, abusive leaders don’t take counsel from others.

Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war. – Proverbs 20:18

Most of the abusive churches I have studied are independent, autonomous groups.  They are not part of a denomination or network that could provide checks and balances or any kind of accountability.  As we have seen over and over again in these pages, their leaders are accountable to no one and resist any outside scrutiny.[3]

Author, blogger and open-air evangelist Peter Boland made the observation that, “Some of the issues are fairly widespread. It seems to have crept into the Reformed camp due to an overreaction regarding church membership. It’s an overreaction to ‘easy believe-ism’ and the ‘no commitment’ church attendance of the 20th century. So now there is this strong emphasis on the membership submitting to the authorities and powers that be, in order to prove, that we are somehow wiser and holier, and that we have more of a ‘healthy church,’ than those mainstream Evangelical churches of the 20th century.”

Abuse can happen on all levels but as people seek a deeper understanding of Christianity, they seek Bible teaching, they affirm and long for more than a surface level faith, and there can be an overreaction.  Sometimes young or growing Christians can swing the pendulum in the other direction.  The Marrow Controversy of the 18th Century exemplified some of the very same issues as Sinclair Ferguson has so eloquently written about in his book, The Whole Christ.

In the well-known sermon Ten Shekels and a Shirt, Paris Reidhead describes the prophet seeking a place to fit.  He was willing to settle for a paycheck and a garment of clothing.  He wasn’t terribly interested in pursuing the best interest of his congregants and ultimately the Lord.  While he may have thought he was, he had an ulterior motive.

Today’s abusive pastor has an ulterior motive.  His life doesn’t match his words.  As John MacArthur describes, “he’s a moral heretic.”  When power or position has been achieved, it’s difficult to let go.  It’s difficult for an authoritarian man to face the truth that his life doesn’t match his speech.  Is the expectation perfection?  Of course not! But these men are called to a high standard and blatant hypocrisy should never be accepted.

As long as Satan prowls around seeking whom he may devour, there will be abusive churches.

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears.  Acts 20:31

The antithesis of the misuse of power is gentleness, which is best seen and understood within the framework of strength.  Gentle leaders, pastors, or teachers do not force their insights and wisdom on the unlearned, nor flaunt their gifts before those in need.  They are patient.  They take time for those who are slow to understand.  They are compassionate with the weak, and they share with those in need.  Being a gentle pastor, shepherd, leader, or teacher is never a sign of being weak, but of possessing power clothed in compassion.[4]

 

This [gentleness] is in stark contrast to the style of abusive leaders, who, as we have seen, often lack compassion and a gentle spirit.  Power has a way of blinding the conscience so that those who spiritually and psychologically abuse others (like abusive parents) show little sign of remorse and repentance.  They deny any guilt for what they have done to people.  And they project their own weaknesses onto others.[5]

Be ever watchful dear friends, know the signs of an abusive church, know how they operate, and be aware.  The greatest defense against abuse is a knowledge of how abusive churches and leaders operate, and most importantly, having an intimate knowledge of the Scriptures.  May the Lord bless His sheep and keep them by His grace.

 

Kevin

 

[1] Churches That Abuse, 1992 by Ronald M. Enroth – page 217

[2]http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/baptist_1689.html

[3] Churches That Abuse, 1992 by Ronald M. Enroth – page 217

[4] Harrold Bussell, Unholy Devotion (Grand Rapids:  Zondervan, 1983), 70

[5] Churches That Abuse, 1992 by Ronald M. Enroth – page 219

Churches That Abuse – Part 4

Posted on by kevinjandt

freed-prisoner

About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.  And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened.  – Acts 16:25-26

God loosens the bonds of slavery and sets prisoners free.  Freedom gained through salvation and the merciful kindness of God gives an unlimited access to Him through the cross of Christ.  In abusive churches these lines are often blurred, or hard to see.  If eyes are opened, the most difficult step begins because to leave an abusive church is a painful process.

Continuing the series on the book Churches That Abuse by Ronald M. Enroth, I will examine two remaining topics.  The focus of this article is the painful exit process.  “To break away from the group required more effort than to join” and family members are pitted one against another to keep them and often citing passages like Matthew 10:34-39 as the justification for splitting families apart.

Ex-members were called quitters, turncoats, and traitors.  At first they simply lost their place in the Lord’s roll call, but gradually the act of leaving became an act of disloyalty.  Ex-members were not to be spoke to or about.  Georgia Sheller was told to have no fellowship with her parents who had left angrily and bitterly.[1]

To maintain control, the control-oriented leader must keep the sheep in the fold at all costs.  Enroth gives examples of two men, Don Barnett and Phil Aguilar, who used similar tactics, not uncommon for this type of a leader.

“God has called you to this assembly to furnish you with that which you need.  Do you have His permission to leave this assembly?” – Don Barnett[2]

“You need to trust God through me; I know what’s best for you.”  “I have the responsibility and the accountability according to God’s Word for each and every one of you.” – Phil Aguilar[3]

By comparison, the New Testament gives little indication about leaving a local church. While there are important principles that apply, specific instructions about moving one’s membership from one local assembly to another are not provided.  One need express caution when applying God’s word to descriptive but not prescriptive texts of the Bible.  Yes, every Christian should be committed and submitted to a local church, to live at peace, as much as depends on you (Romans 12:18)—it’s biblical. However, when leaders are over-bearing and controlling, leaving is the right thing to do.  When leaders lead a church unbiblically and when members put up with an environment “where there are no gray, only blacks and whites,”[4] the church ceases to be a biblical church and Christians not only have a right, but an obligation to leave.

In writing about Great Commission International (GCI), an organization founded in 1970 by “apostle” Jim McCotter, former member Jerry MacDonald notes that the group compares its leadership structure with a marriage.  “GCI elders frequently refer to ones that have left the church as divorcing themselves from their family.  They twist Scripture on God’s hatred of divorce and use it as a coercive technique to keep people from leaving their churches.  Thus, ones who leave are taught that they have actually left God and sinned.  What it really means is that the elders have usurped the loyalty and the devotion that is due Christ alone and refocused it on themselves.”[5]

 

MacDonald points out that the proof-text for the idea of “marriage” in relation to elders and leaders in GCI is found in Ephesians 5:22-6:9. The group cites 5:22 (“Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord”) as the key to their hierarchical system of authority.  “Just as wives are to be in subjection to their husbands, so the church is to be in subjection to the elders.  It seems that the elders are the physical manifestation of the authority of Christ.  Just as a family mirrors the church’s relationship to the elders, so a wife and husband in the bond of marriage reflect the subjection the congregation should have to the elders.”[6]

 

In the Great Commission International, much emphasis is placed on “trusting God’s leading through others” –the “others” being those in leadership.  In reality, this means surrendering one’s independence, obeying in all things, and submitting to the leaders.  As numerous ex-members of GCI have told me, it amounts to subjugation of members to the leadership.  Failure to comply with the authoritarian dictates of the group can result in ex-communication, a common practice in GCI and other abusive-church groups.[7]

 

If you do not give up your independence and follow in harmony, you will be reproved for “sowing discord in the body,” and if you still do not “harmonize,” you will be excommunicated for faction—since, according to GCI, there is no difference between trusting God and trusting a GCI leader.[8]

There are always certain “buzz-words” that carry weight in these assemblies and are commonly used by the leadership; words like authority, submission, love for the body. There are subtle, but well-known, unwritten rules.  There are even times when it may take “reproof” to bring members in line—those “wise in their own eyes” are dealt with quickly.  It is the unwritten code that is most powerful.  It is a life in a fishbowl, where every move is observed.

Enroth notes “excommunication is almost always accompanied by shunning behavior instituted by the leadership…One need not have psychological training to understand that such a procedure also operates as an effective control mechanism within a church.  Those who are the ‘boat-rockers,’ those who raise uncomfortable questions and who challenge the leadership in any way, are prevented from sharing their legitimate concerns and criticism with other members.  Dissent is muffled, and disinformation can ‘spiritualized’ or manipulated by the leadership.”[9]

Submission is biblical, but unmitigated submission without a clearly defined standard as outlined in Scripture is not.  When submission is stressed be on guard.  When mishandled, submission can undermine the whole teaching on the individual priesthood of believers (1 Peter 2:9).  We are called out individually and collectively to be in local church bodies for mutual edification, but not to have a heavy-handed form of church government upon you.

Leaving will be difficult, relationships that were once cherished will be lost, but to seek and find normalcy is well worth the effort to break free.  Good churches are hard, but not impossible, to find.  Pastors that preach the Word and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work are a treasure.

If you see any similarities in these words, seek the counsel of someone that has been in an abusive church before or has helped others escape, and read Enroth’s book.  It promises a bright hope through the One who never enslaves His sheep.

 

Kevin

 

[1] Churches That Abuse, 1992 by Ronald M. Enroth – Page 65

[2] Ibid – page 80

[3] Ibid – page 81

[4] Ibid – page 175

[5] Jerry P. MacDonald, “Manipulation of the Scriptures Within Great Commission International,” unpublished paper (1985), 186.

[6] Ibid

[7] Ibid

[8] Churches That Abuse, 1992 by Ronald M. Enroth – Page 182-183

[9] Ibid – page 183