Now there’s a question for a Monday morning!

Let me explain…..First of all, let me emphasise that I believe wholeheartedly that compassion is a very necessary gift that is needed for God’s church today and I am not speaking against that. What I am saying though,  is that I think, for too long, the church has given compassion to people who maybe need a, dare I say it, a kick up the bum instead!!, – oops! I said it! So, as you read on, please understand that I am not taking about when peoples’ storms are severe – during those times, the church needs to show compassion. BUT, there are times when compassion does a person no good whatsoever and those are the kinds of issues I want to tackle today.

When we first came into the pastoral ministry, we really didn’t have a clue how to do it. John did it because he loved people and we both naively thought that if we just loved people, all would be well! How wrong we were! You see, when you are loving one person or a group of people one way, you’re not loving the other person or group! Loving your congregation by having a short sermon, for example, is not loving the part of the congregation who want longer! Fast songs, slow songs, communion every week or once a month…..the list could go on and if you try and love everyone in the way they want, you are heading for a padded cell! (OK slight over exaggeration) But, having said that,  there are too many pastors and pastor’s wives on anti-depressants which is serious enough and, as far as I’m concerned, shouldn’t be. Read John 10:10 if you don’t believe me.

We have had so many people pass through our church who have said things to us like, ‘this is the best church we’ve ever been to!’ ‘top drawer sermon Pastor!’ ‘What a great church!’ and then, as soon as we have said ‘no’ to something, e.g. their ministry being developed in the church,or   leadership position, or music ministry position, or practical help, they leave! I shake my head as I write!

If your pastor, and his wife, for that matter are not tickling where you’re at right now, will you give them a break! If they don’t visit you because you’ve got a cold, let them off! If she didn’t speak to you yesterday, so what? You have no idea what she might be dealing with. They are fighting the devil everyday to advance God’s kingdom on earth and they don’t need you pouting because you’ve got the sniffles! Grow up and stand on God’s word for your own healing. And here’s a challenge, don’t talk about them more than you pray for them – Ouch! that’s one for me too – Although, I don’t talk about my pastor, I think he’s awesome!! – I am biased of course!

Ministers are under great pressure to ‘love’ everyone who walks through the doors and, for some, if it means the people will stay, sadly, they will give in to their wants and needs. How many men/women have been made elders, or given leadership positions because of their perceived success in the work place and then made the Pastor’s life hell? The pressure to please people is enormous. It’s numbers that matter…. Once you have given a position to a person, it is much more difficult to remove them. If you’re in ministry reading this, take heed and don’t put anyone in position until they have proved that they agree with your core values, don’t think ‘It’ll be OK, we’ll change them,’ believe me, you won’t. I speak from experience. It’s not that the people are bad people, it’s just a clash of core values.

What about a Christian who is constantly up and down? One minute they’re on fire for the Lord and the next minute they think they’ve lost their salvation, one minute they’re at every meeting and the next you don’t see them at all! Maybe an arm around the shoulder the first few times is necessary, but if we keep just putting our arms around these kinds of people, I believe we do them a dis-service.

What about long term depression? Firstly, I know that depression is a real illness and I know it’s an earthly reality for many Christians, (John was there 12 years ago – so we know all about it)  BUT! BUT! BUT! If you’re still depressed after years then something is wrong and it isn’t God. Just imagine, if you will, a world where no Christians are on medication for depression? Is this far fetched? John 10:10. I don’t think so. I think the world would notice and look on in amazement! Now, I am not saying throw medication away, I am grateful for the NHS, and, if it’s necessary, for a time, to help, then go ahead.  I just long for a day when the church is victorious in these kinds of areas. Is it possible? God seems to think so ……Luke 1:37, “For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.’

The world in which we live in today is changing and the ONLY hope for our nation is Jesus. He isn’t on earth in bodily form anymore, he’s left it to us! and if we produce a church that only delivers compassion and not victory then we will simply get weaker and weaker and our message won’t convince anyone that we have the best way to live.

Come on Church, it’s time to grow up and head to that place where we are mature and complete, not lacking anything!  (James 1:4) When we get there, the World will know that God is real!