Tags
Jesus, John Piper, love, Mahaney, Mark Driscoll, men in the church, Sovereign Grace Ministries, women in the church
My reading started with a story about CJ Mahaney taking a leave of absence from his ministry for “various expressions of pride, unentreatability, deceit, sinful judgment and hypocrisy”.
This led to reading more about the controversy surrounding Sovereign Grace Ministries.
Mahaney’s stepping down leads one to ponder John Piper’s actions a year ago.
Somehow, all of this reading led me back to Mark Driscoll (probably because of his affiliation with Mahaney) who hasn’t been out of the controversy lime-light for very long with his unfortunate comments and crude language.
Mark Driscoll sent me pondering how as a woman it’s very easy to feel marginalized, under attack, and viewed only as a sexual and reproductive object.
But I also take seriously the comments of a pastor friend of mine that men also feel under attack. I understand the concerns many have about the absence of men in the church.
And then there are the cries against gossip or attempts to hide the truth about leaders abusing their power or covering up blackmail and the sexual molestation of church members.
The more I read, the more horrified I become. Apparently it’s not safe to be a man or a woman, a pastor or a pew-sitter. We’re all under attack.
And isn’t that kind of the point?
There are a few scant chapters in the Bible where it seems safe to be a human being. After a brief glimpse of a harmonious world, we’re plunged into a narrative of humanity fighting for its life. Women are being ruled over by their husbands and men are eking out a livelihood from an uncooperative world. Family members are murdering or molesting one another. God’s people are sniveling, complaining, and forgetful.
Men and manhood are under attack. So are women and womanhood also under attack. It’s dangerous to be a pastor with its pride-breeding lime lights. It’s dangerous to submit yourself to leadership who will always be far from perfect.
It’s sad that while all of us are in the same situation, we’re turning on each other so spectacularly. We’re like stranded travelers trying to decide who to eat first. Men blame women, women blame men and Satan laughs with glee at our lack of unity and love for each other.
What if the world knew us not for our rants against and attempts to undercut one another, not for the finger pointing, not for the list of pastors who’ve fallen off their pedestals, but for our love for each other?
What might happen then?
Whispers on the Journey 
Sarah
Is it your opinion that we should be silent about how pedophilia is destroying the lives of many children? Have you read the stories of the families who were harmed by an uncaring church? Is there a time and place to take a stand against evil, even if it is in the church?
Please read the accounts at SGM Survivors and Refuge. This is not a simple disagreement over theology. Sometimes God whispers but sometimes He shouts because we can’t hear.
Hi Dee;
It is definitely not my opinion that stories like those on SGM Survivors and Refuge be hidden or kept quiet. I have spent more hours than is probably healthy reading through those stories and mourning over the evil found in the visible church. I’m glad there is honest work going on trying to confront the evil.
My challenge to those abusing their power in such ways would be the exact ones I listed in the original blog. “Hey, pastor/leader, what if you were known for the love with which you lead instead of your iron fist? What if your priority of showing genuine care for those you lead meant doing the difficult work of confronting difficult realities within your congregation or denomination? What if building up those under you was more important than satisfying your ego?”
What would happen if those in leadership (myself included!) lead that way?
Sarah thanks for always making me think..and for putting into words thoughts that often bounce around in my head. You always make me smile 🙂
Mahaney is a disengenuous speaker and ego maniac. “I came here to play, hehe” Yes, I don’t even want to be revered, people just demand that I speak because I am so wonderful. Puke.