What Happened to the Preacher?

       Have you ever wondered why preachers move from one church to another.  It seems like it's a continual rotation.  And, we've all seen it.  We can't deny that it happens and all too often.

 

       Now, sometimes it needs to happen.  Sometimes the problem is that the doctrine of the church is out of line with the Scripture.  Sometimes the evangelist's doctrine is messed up.  So, if there's a doctrinal conflict, either the church or evangelist need to re-evaluate their beliefs and teachings.  Unfortunately, if any change does take place, it's usually the grounded evangelist being forced to compromise at least part of the truth in order to continue with that particular congregation.  In my personal experience, I've never seen a mistaken-doctrine congregation tolerate the full gospel.  I find both of these situations saddening.

 

       But also, and perhaps more disturbing, is the situation where the evangelist is expected to be more than human.  And this is, in my opinion, more harmful to the Lord's Church than the circumstances I mentioned earlier. 

 

       Now, while I do agree that the evangelist is to try his best to live a life of example to the church and the community, I find it difficult to accept the fact that he is expected to be infallible.  And, as he lives his life under a microscope (for reasons beyond my reckoning), his faults seem to be more obvious than the faults of others'.  At times, it seems, that there are those within the church who, instead of assisting and praying for the one whose heart and mind in practically constantly straining for their salvation, go out of their way to find fault.

 

       Then, instead of personally coming to him to give him counsel, they go about the business of "fact finding" to later confront him with accusations, while standing upon his head, throwing Scripture at him to point out his faults, within a group.  Why?  What do they expect out of this man who, although he does make mistakes (he is human, right?), thinks more of them that he does himself?  Why does he get ambushed?  Really!  Let's call it what it is!

 

       Where did we ever get the idea that the evangelist is without fault?  Where did we ever get the idea that our mistakes are to be overlooked, but the preacher's are to be pointed out, driven in, and unforgiven?  Where did we ever get the idea that, if our neighbor sins against us, we're to go to them and try to work it out, but, if it's the preacher, he's out of work?

 

       Funny how that works...