God is very protective of His people. He is a jealous God who is slow to wrath but will avenge the wrong perpetrated on those He loves and will seek vengeance against His adversaries (Nahum 1:2-3). Those of us who have been called to lead and teach His flock need to take notice. We will be held to a higher standard of judgment (James 3:1). Many who have taken up the mantle of church leadership embrace this responsibility with the appropriate amount of fear and reverence. Unfortunately, there are several in today’s church who do not. Instead, they prioritize the church organization, cultural relevance, and/or their comfort over a duty to teach, preach, and lead. These are the “hired shepherds” that Christ warned us would mislead the flock or abandon them in a time of trial and danger (John 10:11-14; 1 Peter 5:2-4).
While in the business world, I started, expanded, shrank, and/or closed several organizations. My role was as a change agent, which forced me to observe the tell-tale signs of when it was time to do one of the actions described. The book, How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins[i], is a good, quick read on organizations’ various phases. Some leaders read the signs and adjust quickly; others do not. The same is true of God’s church. However, there is no excuse for missing the signs, as God made it very clear in His Word what a healthy church or ministry looks like and what it should be doing.
The 34th chapter of Ezekiel emphasizes the actions God expects and also outlines what He will do to those in leadership who do not follow His directions. The Western church, and especially the American church, needs to sit up and take notice. Lately, we have seen God move to clean up and clean out His church. Pastors are being removed (Texas, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, and elsewhere). Sadly, I think more will follow. Thankfully, ministries, NGOs, and others are losing their funding and ability to mislead and/or break the law. Sexual and financial scandals are being brought to light. This is a natural reorganization, closing/shrinkage, I alluded to earlier. Some of this could be based on false accusations, so we must be careful. However, if leaders take the time to read their Bible, they can see how God, through the prophet Ezekiel, warned them to avoid activities that would negatively impact their ministry.
Ezekiel starts chapter 34 with a warning to the shepherds and leaders of the church in Israel. Though Ezekiel was speaking to those in Israel, the lesson clearly applies to any church or ministry leader. Verse two ends with “Woe to the shepherds […] who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?” The warning is that God expects His chosen leaders to put others first and, specifically, to feed His sheep. Feed them His Word, which feeds their soul, and then meet their physical needs. This is the role of a church/ministry leader. Based on verses 3 & 4, the shepherds were not doing their jobs. The flocks were going without spiritual sustenance and physical healing and were being driven away.
Does that sound familiar? The Western-American church seems to fit this warning. In an attempt to become “culturally relevant,” church leaders water down the Gospel, invite sin into the pulpit, and call evil good. Some in a movement called the Word of Faith tout a “name it and claim it” message, which can build false hope and a message outside the Bible. Because of these failed teachings, our youth think the LGBTQ lifestyle, abortion, fornication, witchcraft, etc., are acceptable with no consequence in their lives. So why go to church when I can live like the culture? Or all I have to do is speak material blessings, which will happen because I can manipulate God with my words. Rather than focusing the message on God’s plan and His blessings, some seek the man-made construct of material wealth as the best sign of God’s satisfaction with us.
There are those in our churches who also believe that open borders and lack of familial protection are how the church shows love—“everyone is welcome.” While it is true that everyone is welcome, legally, illegal immigration is—illegal. God expects His flock to follow the law (see Romans chapter 13). God established borders (Deuteronomy 32:8) and laws, and expects that we in the church do our part to follow and enforce them. Leaders of Non-Governmental Organizations, “ministries” who partake in illegal immigration, are not fulfilling God’s Word. Pastors who support such illegal activity are not “feeding” their flock the truth. They allow their flocks to be “scattered” and become “food for all the beasts of the field” (Ezekiel 34:5). In other words, the leaders and ministers’ lack of shepherding is forcing their flocks into false belief systems, up to and including witchcraft, murder, and false doctrines. The Bible is not taught or misinterpreted to meet a social construct.
The predictable result is that a jealous God will protect His people. God lays the cause at the feet of the wayward pastors/leaders in verses 7 and 8 of Ezekiel, while in verses 9 and 10, He makes it abundantly clear that the privilege of leading and shepherding the flocks will be removed from these leaders. The shepherds will feed themselves no more at the expense of the sheep (Nahum 1:2&3). This warning is not aimed at Mega-Churches only. This goes for any ministry, NGO ministry, and churches, small or large. If the leader misleads his/her flock, God will deal with them. The leaders must remove any denominational barriers or anti-Biblical teachings that cause them to lead their flock astray. Don’t know what those are? Start by reading your Bible! Then teach it, word for word, line upon line, precept upon precept (Isaiah 28:9-15). Don’t let finance, lust for wealth or material things of this world, witchcraft, or cultural relevance dissuade you from leading your flock.
How do we as leaders help our flocks? Stop living in fear and step into the authority and role God has given you as a shepherd. Start loving your flock with an agape love—unconditional. Teach them who they are in Christ and that they are loved, a joint heir with Christ and the child of God. They may sin from time to time, but if they humble themselves and repent, God forgives. Therefore, they do not need to embrace false doctrines or believe anything but the Word of God. If we teach from a Biblical worldview, they will be presented the truth of God and His Son Jesus Christ. The title of irresponsible shepherd from Ezekiel 34 is avoidable. We can teach the truth and put culture on its heels.
God is cleaning His house. The church will look different in the future. He is calling us back to His plan and purpose. In the end, we have to come alongside our brothers and sisters and love them into the Kingdom. I encourage all leaders and pastors to look honestly at their organizations and determine if they are following God’s or man’s plans. Then, rebuild, shrink, or close those activities that do not fit into God’s work.
[i] Collins. J. (2009). How the Mighty Fall. HarperCollins.