Churches That Hurt

USGN Article - June 2001

Terry & Barbi Franklin

Written by Terry Franklin
 

I'm sure that, just like me, you get "virus updates" in your daily email from friends, endeavoring to protect you from these menacing annoyances that like to eat your computer hard-drive for lunch.

Similarly, there are "viruses" that aim to choke the life out of the Church. If not dealt with, they can cause incredible harm -- and to use another metaphor, can act as a cancer. When they violate clear scripture we must heed Jude 3 and "...contend earnestly for the faith that has once and for all been given."

Barbi and I have a calling to minister to families. And we are seeing families hurt in church after church by an odd recent phenomenon: Authoritarian pastors and church leadership.

Since the dawn of the Church there have always been disagreements over which type of church government is proper — some place authority in the congregation, or in a group of elders, while others might have a centralized form of government where a Pastor/Bishop has ultimate authority. What we are discussing here is a aberrant form within this latter category.

It works like this: pastors have pastors over them that they submit to, but are in no way responsible to submit to others within their congregation or others who are part of the Body of Christ outside of their immediate circle of ministry. They have the "authority" to "speak into" the lives of all who are under them — even down to very personal issues. Not following their advice is tantamount to disobedience to God.

We will cover more next month, but as I close let me ask you a few questions: Have you ever been hurt by an authoritarian church? Has a pastor, or pastor’s wife tried to divide your family or marriage? Have you participated in "Covenant Ceremonies" where covenant to others within the body was stressed? Have you known of some who have been disowned by your church...for simply disagreeing with a pastor?

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! We are writing a book and would like to hear of your experiences. Write us at Terry & Barbi Franklin, P.O. Box 17247, Nashville, TN 37217 ; or at franklins@heartfortheworld.com

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