Congregational Authority pt 6 of 7

Are Character Issues Dealt with Similarly?

The above approach makes sense within the context of an issue of preference—a non-fundamental, non-Biblical, and/or non-essential issue. Sadly issues of preference are not the only ones to occasionally divide church congregations against themselves and against the leadership. In cases of a pastor’s sinful or unwise conduct, the method outlined in Matthew 18 and 2 Timothy must be used to attempt to right the matter. If these avenues are exhausted to no avail, the congregation faces a series of difficult choices.

If a majority of the congregation sees the issue as one of significant gravity, it is incumbent upon it to call for, and eventually force if necessary, the unrepentant pastor’s resignation. Doubtless a minority will stand with the pastor and feel disenfranchised by the ousting, but this is natural and can be used as an opportunity to teach the Biblical principles behind confrontation of a fallen brother, restoration of that brother, and removal of a pastor who is in sin. Painful as it may be, such a situation provides an unparalleled opportunity to mature younger Christians on whom the severity of the situation might otherwise be lost.

A more complicated situation involves a minority of the congregation who see the pastor’s conduct as unacceptable on some moral level. The minority may not be able, in good conscience, to continue down the path the majority and pastor tread. If this is the case, the minority may be wisest to withdraw from the church and find another place to worship. However, the decision to stay or leave should perhaps be framed within the construct of salvagability. Is there enough good left in the church to warrant staying and reforming it? If yes, then the minority may be able to bring others around to their viewpoint given enough time. If there is not enough hope left to make salvage reasonable, the minority would most likely better off finding another, more suitable location to worship so that their spiritual health is not compromised.