Summer Days

When I moved to Kansas City, I had no idea that summer's like this existed. When you live in hot climates, summer has a certain feel --  sweltering! Last summer was pretty warm in KC, but this year has been amazing. We rode the bike yesterday, running some errands, and enjoying a Sunday afternoon. Through certain neighborhoods, the ones with lots of trees, I even got a little chilly. It is difficult to ignore the majesty of this world, all it has to offer that is beautiful, when there are days like we are having now. When life is overwhelming, there is still beauty to view. When days are long and hard, a single bloom can lift a heart. 

When a Minister gives Ministers a Bad Name

There is a church dear to my heart that is going through its second power-grubbing, judgment wielding, spirit crushing "minister." I have to put that word in quotes, because to call either one of these people real ministers is to degrade the calling. 

Being a minister, a pastor, a servant is a high calling. People expect a great deal from you, but they also will give you back power, love, care in ways no one can truly anticipate. And, there is nothing wrong with people giving their pastor those things, not even power, but...

When a pastor does things unethically, and is never called into question, when a pastor manipulates people for personal gain, when a pastor fails to love and judges instead... I am ashamed of my profession.

And, what makes me more ashamed is that the lay leadership lacks the confidence to do what they are there to do: hold the pastor accountable. So, yet a second time, this church is allowing a pastor walk all over the gospel, to walk all over them, to walk all over and tear them apart from the inside out.

So, when someone says to me "church is full of hypocrites," and I look at this situation, it becomes harder and harder to counter it. 

So, I hope... I hope and I pray that someone in that church will stand up for what is right and demand accountability. I hope and I pray that God will always remind me of why I am called to ministry: to serve the people and serve my Creator. I hope and pray that this situation will have very few casualties. (I have to say few, because I already know there are some.) I hope that the piece of my heart that is breaking for this congregation comes to the forefront of every decision I make in ministry. For, if ever my ministry kills someone's joy, it's not ministry at all.

This is a sad confession to share with you. But, I believe God is calling out a greater church, a church where people are loved and respected and challenged to be better people, a church where even in disagreement, we act in love. God wants more from church; God just might want us to be Christ-like. (Who would imagine that!?!)