a very good checklist

Here are some questions I ask myself in these situations:

1. Are these people wolves or just messed up, potentially damaged sheep? If they are wolves, then my action is not only warranted but commanded. But if they are messed up, damaged sheep then I have a responsibility to tend them.

2. Am I calling people to mission and equipping them in their unique capacities and giftings, or am I using them as resources to fulfill my vision? Often it is easy for me to dismiss someone because they are in the way of fulfilling what I/we are trying to accomplish, when in fact, they are who I am called to tend. I am reminded that I don't just tend sheep who go along with the program.

3. Am I being patient enough to allow the Holy Spirit to do His sanctifying work which takes time?

4. Am I only able and willing to use those who have been sanctified somewhere else, where I get the fruit of some other pastors hard work?

5. Am I confusing a get-along attitude with a sanctified person? Are they really humble and ready to serve? Or are they works based and ready to serve?

6. Is there sin, and if so, have I confronted them personally? Are they unrepentant?

Their is an additional danger in this area that we are prone to as well, and that involves whether we make a blanket statement of inviting difficult people to leave and get-along people to stay or whether we determine this on a case-by-case basis. Once we make the decision that difficult people should leave, we will likely not take the time to discern each case, but rather to see all difficult people as the problem, rather than an opportunity to minister.

We should not be too quick to 'amen' asking a brother to leave the church or inviting him to leave.

Thanks for the post Scott and thanks for serving us as we think through these issues.

Posted by: Jacob Vanhorn |