lfm

Wounded By Leadership

There are people in places of leadership inside the church and outside who have deeply wounded precious souls to the point where they are inoculated against the church and have no desire to be part of organized denominations let alone serve as an integral facet of the Body of CHRIST.

Sadly the above statement is true for there is compelling information indicating we are facing an epidemic of abuse in the church. Most of the victims have experienced frustration and the pain of rejection while sadly many others have experienced the horror of sexual and mental abuse by so-called Christian Leaders.

This article will not attempt to fully address this complex issue, but, GOD willing, it will point the wounded soul to the source of all true healing. Counsellors can help but only GOD can heal through HIS one and only Son, JESUS - The Messiah. JESUS was GOD in flesh meaning HE became a person like you and me. HE was wounded by religious leaders just like you, so HE knows what it is like. As a Believer in JESUS you have a part of GOD living inside of you that connects to JESUS through space and time perhaps on a quantum level. Therefore, you can receive inner supernatural healing. Please don't give up on the True Body Of CHRIST. JESUS will one day make all things right and those people in spiritual leadership whether they are wolves in sheep's clothing or just insensitive jerks, will be held accountable. How do I know this? I'll let your read the words of Yeshua Adoni (JESUS our LORD). We find in the Bible - Matthew chapter 18 verses 3-6 where JESUS says...

"I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on My behalf is welcoming Me. But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in Me to stumble, it would be better for you to have a large millstone tied around your neck and be drowned in the depths of the sea."

We see from the original Greek language that the words specifically used here for little children/child was a word that meant any person from the age of infant to half grown boy or girl. But it also means by extension a young Christian. The context of this passage proves this out. JESUS clearly warns spiritual leaders that there is a severe judgment if they cause someone who trusts JESUS, to stumble. That word stumble is where we get our word 'scandal' and it means to entrap, trip up, entice to sin, to lose faith! This is most serious and that is why the Apostle James says this about Spiritual Leaders in chapter 3 verse 1..

"Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly. Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way."

James is stating the context here is what Christian Leadership speak/say. Their words can be in error or can cut deeply. Therefore, they will be judged more strictly. Yes, we all make mistakes and woe to them who arrogantly brush off those who would hold them accountable for their words. The ole adage is wrong, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words shall never hurt." Says the kid whose heart has just been wounded, right?

If you are the victim of being wounded by leadership in the church. Then rise up and become more mature than the leadership that abused you. Rise up and ask the GOD that created you to help you get healing so you can move past this and grow more stronger in HIM. Don't allow the enemy to convince you that all Christians and all churches are hurtful.

Perhaps you have lost faith in Christians or even worse you have lost faith in JESUS and HIS loving FATHER. I would encourage you to not give up on GOD! I was raised in a pseudo-Christian cult. I have met many over the years who have been abused and deeply wounded by church leadership, including myself. I would love to discus further and hear your story.

If you are a church leader, can I ask you some questions? What procedures do you have in place that tracks your association with Believers under your watch? If someone stops coming to church do you personally contact them and find out why? And if you do, do you ask GOD to see passed the trite answers? Do you care enough to invest in even the "least of these" in your fellowship? Not enough time, you say? Then ask GOD if you truly are focusing on the LORD of the work versus doing the work of the LORD? I'd be happy to chat. I spent over a decade traveling through the US & Canada going into hundreds of churches in over twenty-six different denominations. I've seen a lot of abuse not just from leadership but from congregations.