Sometimes, it becomes incumbent on a leader to correct problems. That corrective action may be painful for the leader to execute and may lead to pain and loss for others, an organization, and a culture, but ultimately, it results in improvement. The leader has to use the power of his/her position or their referential/assumed power to make these tough decisions. God has empowered leaders throughout history to make these complex decisions and execute the changes. One such example for today’s Ekklesia is Nehemiah.
As told to us in the 13th chapter of Nehemiah, King Artaxerxes allowed Nehemiah to leave his palace to rebuild the wall around Jerusalem. The temple was also reconstructed and dedicated during this time, according to the Book of Ezra. After the work on the wall was completed, Nehemiah returned to his job in the palace as he had promised the King. After a while, upon returning to Jerusalem, Nehemiah discovered that those in charge had adulterated the temple and not followed the rules for care of the temple or worship. Jesus told a couple of parables with a similar theme of corrupt workers doing their dirty work while the leader was away. Being the leader that he is, Nehemiah asks the obvious question, “Why is the house of God forsaken?” (Nehemiah 13:7). I think we can ask today’s church leaders the very same question.
Why do our church leaders allow culture to dictate the teachings from the pulpit? Why are we allowing LGBTQ people to become members of our congregations? Note, I said members. I am all for inviting to church those trapped in the LGBTQ lie. They need to hear the truth of the Gospel, and it is that truth that will set them free. They need to come to church, and the church needs to be willing to disciple them. However, they cannot become members, hold office, or teach/preach while embroiled in sin. Why are our churches ignoring the Word of God? “Why is the house of God forsaken?”
Why do our churches support abortion from the pulpit or just remain silent on the murder of the innocent? “Well, it is the law so we are just giving to Ceaser what is Ceaser’s.” What part of “you shall not murder” is difficult to understand? Or Christ’s charge to His followers that we are to allow the children to come to Him? Silence in the face of evil is tacit approval. The German church said nothing while the Nazis murdered Jews, gypsies, the handicapped, and political opponents. They were just trying to have a good relationship with Ceaser. “Why is the house of God forsaken?”
Why do our churches not teach the Bible? Why do we see denominational conflict explode into social media wars between pastors? Why are church leaders telling their congregants not to attend praise, healing, or evangelical meetings? Because the belief systems do not line up with the denomination! Where is the unity Christ and Paul discussed? The question should be, is Christ taught and professed as Lord and Savior? If the answer is yes, then attendance should not be a threat. Or is it that the pastor does not have a Biblical worldview and is afraid his congregants will learn the truth? Less than 50% of pastors today indicate they have a Biblical worldview. Why are they in the pulpit? If the Bible is the inerrant Word of God, how can a pastor not teach the truth? “Why is the house of God forsaken?”
If we take seriously our role as leaders in this end-time church, we are called to hold the church and its leaders accountable. Nehemiah stated that he “contended with the rulers” of the church. “And I gathered them together and set them in their place.” (Nehemiah 13:11). We need to begin setting our Ekklesia in its place. If leadership will not teach the whole Word of God, bravely and unashamedly, and are more concerned with cultural acceptance, then we need to vote them out of their pulpit or vote with our feet.
If we accept the mantle of leadership in the Ekklesia, accepting the challenge of Hebrews 12:1 & 2 should be our focus. We need to “lay aside every weight and sin” that can easily ensnare us and “look to Jesus,” who endured the shame of the cross for our salvation. We have no right to cheapen that sacrifice by accepting cultural sin, especially from our pastors, teachers, and ministry leaders. The culture is willing to accept gay pastors, a trans-story hour from the pulpit, watered-down teaching or no teaching on the evil of abortion, and broad acceptance of sins that have been normalized by society. As leaders, we cannot accept the Laodicean church model. We have to say “no” and be willing to enact alternatives.