I stumbled across a church that is in a mess. I won’t name any names or places so as not to give them press. But it was ridiculous. Members are suing the pastor. I think the pastor is suing the members. They tried to vote him out, not enough votes and he wouldn’t go. The church tried to kick the members out and not enough votes and the disgruntled members won’t go.

Pastor claims they are upset over a new worship style. The members claim he has misused money. Membership and Attendance is falling, SURPRISE, SURPRISE! Blogs, tv spots on the news, accusations in the newspaper and on the internet. Pastor says they are angry because they are no longer leaders. Members say pastor keeps bad records. Pastor says they don’t like staff led church. They agree. Over 20 years of ministry. Over 50 years of church history. One time a great church. Now it may never recover.

I don’t know which side is right. I just know that the devil has won this one. For that they all get the blame. What a shame to completely blow a churches witness because somebody didn’t get their way. In that city the devil has a party. And in the bars and streets people laugh as the angels cry.

Do the right things the right way. Protect your witness, protect the witness of the church, protect the name of Jesus. As Kenny Rogers says, “you gotta know when to hold ‘em and know when to fold ‘em. Somebody’s ego wouldn’t let them fold.