Even as the welcome feast began, Paul knew the gaiety might be short-lived if they could see what was on his heart. Long before he had arrived, there had been reports from his fellow workers in the Gospel that this church was open and inclusive -- a little too inclusive. Of course, they were nothing like the congregation at Corinth, thank God.
While it must be admitted that the reputation of Corinth as the home of drunkards and sluts was somewhat unjust, the congregation there had far too many of the wrong instincts. Of all things, they were treating as royalty a wealthy member who married his step-mother! She may have been a too-young trophy wife for dad, a passing fancy, but nothing justified this young man claiming to serve Christ while living out his incestuous fantasies for all to see.
And then, when the church did the right thing in withdrawing fellowship, he wept like a baby. For days he moped about in a deep depression, at which point the woman was all too ready to leave him on her own. After severing ties with her, he remained depressed over the ostracism. Then Paul had to counsel the congregation to recognize the man's genuine repentance and renew his fellowship.
One of Paul's companions remarked that he felt Paul's handling of Corinth was somehow inappropriate for an apostle. Oddly, he had expected Paul to assert his authority and thunder out the message to them. To his disappointment, Paul simply got quiet, then fell on his face right there in front of the whole congregation and began praying earnestly for the Lord to forgive them. And he stayed there for what seemed like an eternity, until everyone was embarrassed and either joined him or slipped quietly out of the meeting hall.
Yes, these Philippians were well above that level. Still, one had to draw distinct lines, so as not to make the Gospel message disreputable for the wrong reasons. There was a distinct partisan spirit in this place, a couple of women and their supporters trying to polarize the congregation. Hopefully, the guily parties would repent more quickly than the man in Corinth. Without that, some might have to lose their leadership responsibilities, or even their membership in the congregation.
When the first rush of eating was done, and the faces in the crowd gathered there began turning expectantly to hear what news Paul might have of how their gifts had helped his missionary work, he knew it was time to say it.
He breathed out a sigh, and in that sigh he breathed a prayer in his native Hebrew tongue, asking for guidance and boldness. Then he stood and waved for silence. When all was quiet, he began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "You Philippians are a crown I wear in the presence of the Lord." Smiles and some self-conscious embarrassment lit up the room. "You have this habit of giving to my personal needs when you hear so much as a rumor from someone else that I might need something. I've never had an opportunity to ask you for even a drink of water, because you offer it before I am aware of my own thirst. You have been like this from the beginning, starting with that night my companions and I were thrown in the Roman jail here, long ago. Your founding members bathed our wounds.
"So when I mention you to the other congregations across Thrace and Achaia, even as far as Jerusalem, it is with pride that there is one place where the spirit of Christ's love is alive.
"Sadly, there is a matter in which that love has fallen short...."
One of the hardest things a leader has to do is cut someone out of the action. If it isn't hard for you, then perhaps you shouldn't be leading. Jesus made it clear that all were welcome in the Kingdom of Heaven, that the only requirement was a sincere desire for the Father. Everything else could be worked out.
He reminded Peter that the one who constantly failed, but cared enough to ask forgiveness each time, was still acceptable. Peter had heard that one should forgive the same sin up to three times. That was the Rabbinical standard. By offering up to seven times, he thought he was being generous. Jesus' answer of seven times seventy was hardly designed to quantify the issue. Anyone who bothered to keep count that high had the wrong spirit to begin with.
But there are some who don't repent. They insist they are right, and that you are wrong. If your first reaction is to proceed immediately with disciplinary action, you have no business leading. What if you are wrong on the issue? Can you apologize and change directions when your error is brought to your attention? If you can't, stop leading now.
On the other hand, there are plenty of issues already so thoroughly established there is no need to re-examine them. There are bedrock principles without which our doings are no longer worthy of the label "Christian." Paul ran into that regularly in his apostleship. His letters are full or reprimands, right along with the praises.
Among those comments, he would sometimes draw a clear line of separation. Unless you are in the business of enforcement, you cannot compel folks to change their ways, any more than you can simply order someone to stop thinking. But you can, and must for the sake of your mission and those who share in it, refuse to let the unrepentant participate in what you are doing. Even when you are certain of the grounds for such a decision, you still have to assume they might be actually serving God's purpose. You DON'T have to let them serve that purpose in conflict with what you are certain is God's purpose for you.
What are the Lord's criteria? This is what I've found to be grounds for cutting people out of your ministry:
This list is hardly exhaustive, long as it is. These are simply the items that jump out at me as I scan through the New Testament. I've had trouble with each of them at one time or another. Few of them are so crystal clear that they can be learned in one lesson.
If someone resists your leadership, give them every chance to defend their position. If they can't provide good convincing reasons, you must assume they are a problem, and take the proper action. There is no need for strong feelings, other than sorrow at having to do it. Let your anger, if any, cool before you act. Then do it with love and grace, because you still love them -- that is, with the love of the Spirit, the one sort of love we can actually choose.
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Ed Hurst
27 September 2002
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