Church hurt is anything but regular and at the same time expectations from the leaders in churches range from very little to over-the-top!  Who? Why? Do they all? How? When? To What Extinct? What should I expect? Should I even continue attending church?  Is the institution of Church a Scam? I can find God at home right?

Yes you can worship God without an audience and you can worship HIM in your home.  However there is a reason God calls us to assemble together and when you don’t honor that you lose: understanding, knowledge, fellowship, friendship and most importantly you are in direct obedience to what God ask you to do.

Realistically, what everyone wants is to NOT be hurt anywhere but more specifically in the church where our guard is let down, where one is most likely to be vulnerable and the place where one probably gives more of his or herself freely.  There are few things to consider in the organization we call church.

• Church is a perfect organization run by imperfect people. God told us to assemble together and that concept is excellent but the people who assemble are not excellent, in fact they are hurting.  That always leaves an opportunity for people to hurt others even when hurting people isn’t the intent.
• Even the Leader isn’t perfect. Gifts come without repentance.  God does not wait nor does HE call according to perfect acts.  Not one prophet, not one disciple was perfect or flawless.  They were and will continue to be flawed but that doesn’t mean not called.  That’s no excuse to hurt people but it does help to understand going into the relationship of Pastor/member that both people are human with human frailties, insecurities, hurts, doubts and moments of weakness.  The gift of leading, teaching, preaching, praying, laying on of hands has been given to the Leader (Pastor, Bishop, Evangelist) by God to be used for HIS people.  Members shouldn’t ever take their eyes off God watching the vessel God put into place that is definitely a setup for failure.
• Anointed Enough to Serve, Human enough not to be worshipped. Said and worth repeating.  That statement speaks for itself.  Leaders are chosen from among the crowd of members.  God’s plan is that we worship HIM and HIM ALONE not those around us.  It’s easy to become caught up in the things, works or miracles done and forget the one who IS the Miracle, The WORKS, God.
• Leadership can be wrong. God can do ALL THINGS except fail and lie.  The leadership has the ability to lie, fall, fail, lust, manipulate etc……. Once again the leadership is human.  No one goes unpunished but as members or even those who are leadership under the Pastor, it is your job to allow God to correct His leaders.  As difficult as it may be, submit to the leadership and allow God to deal with his leaders.  I am a witness to this fact.  Yes one may offer advice or speak his mind but in the end, God will deal with his leader.  No one goes unpunished for wrong.  It may not be as public as you would like maybe not in the manner of your preference but justice is always rendered.
• Members can be Wrong. Even with the best intentions, a member can expect leadership to do things that only God can do.  There are times when members want or expect things from leadership that they should not.  Everyone wants help and that desire for help is the reason people seek God in church.  However as members there are times when they don’t get what they desire from God as quickly as they desire, members seek from their leaders.  Financial help, a listening ear, calls for favors, you name it.  In those moments, views get crossed, lines blurred, roles change and perception can be off.  In this place expectations grow and get out of control.  I could provide situations, speculations but I won’t.  Just know that anytime you put people and expectations from them ahead of God, you will be disappointed, wrong and subject yourself to potential abuse and misuse.

NEXT:  LEADERSHIP CHRONICLES: CHURT HURT: LIMITS AND BOUNDARES