Wednesday, February 18

an open letter to religious leaders...

Money, Sex and Power

Crap.
It’s about time for someone to be honest about what’s going on around us. It’s an epidemic and most of us are one sneeze away from being infected. Money, sex and power. Three temptations that are literally destroying the ministry for many talented and earnest leaders. They are subtle, infectious and deadly. And they’re coming to a friend near you.

Money.
The influence of money on the ministry is astounding. I have known pastors who have literally convinced themselves that God is calling them away to a new start that coincidentally has financial gain built in. Parishioners insist that their pastors drive well (3 of my best friends in the ministry all got new minivans for Christmas last year), live well and dress well. The inertia towards middle class is nothing short of cultic. I know few clergy who live below middle class. Name two pastors you know that rent apartments, drive older cars, and are broke. New pastors and church planters don’t count. Welcome to suburbia.

Sex.
It’s true…. You are only one malicious rumor from selling cars for a living. Later when you are vindicated you will bask in the fact that you are... from the car lot.
The temptations are powerful and the examples of the effects are unfortunately numerous. Sex is wrecking the ministry. Pastors constantly put themselves in compromising situations, flirt with staff and parishioners and naively assume that it won’t happen to them.
They counsel the opposite sex who wonder why their spouce doesn’t understand them like their pastor. They touch the opposite sex too much, harmlessly flirt too much, care too much. They wrongfully assume that they have put protective measures in place.
And it’s not just pastors who are getting accused. Spouses are often primary targets for the needy in your church. No one can be more empathetic than your pretty wife or gentle husband. Target locked and loaded.

Power.
Why are you in the ministry?
Success can be quite the aphrodisiac. People love you. You speak well. You’re at the top of your game…Probably time to quit.

Somewhere along the line you forgot about the poor people, the unpopular and the ones who won’t help your career. You started to like the show, the attention and the accolades. You got asked to talk to important groups, people considered your visits an event. Time to quit.

Time to quit. Get out. You lost your heart and this turned into a job. You started concentrating on shallow B.S. and you are dishonoring the friend of the lowly and the oppressed. Time to go.

Money, and power. They want your love. They are the harlots that parade themselves in the recesses of your darkness and they are starting to claim your soul. You can pretend they haven’t seduced you yet but like all sluts they only go where they are invited. Kick them out.

I’m feeling convicted.

posted by Scott | 12:17 AM | |