You know, as a christian man called to ministry, I begin to realize a sad reality. That sometimes the more you get involved with ministry, the more the involvement becomes less about God, and more about the people who surround you. How you're viewed by the pastor, the members, as well as others pursuing ministry.
For some this reality manifests in competition over who gets selected to "lead" church functions. For some it may manifest as who gets to "hang out" with the pastor after church. For some it may appear as who can remain the most "spiritual" or the most chill.
This is where the structure of church politics begin. The place MEANT to be a place of edification, healing, and support, becomes a hub of gossip, competition, and deceit.
Honestly I've attended churches both large and small. Some rife with hatred and distraction, while some strictly focused on doing the things the Lord has set for them.
While there are some in leadership who encourage and egg this infighting for their own gain and ego, in the end I truly believe a VAST MAJORITY of the pastors are not the issue. I believe the issue lies in the hearts of the people. Of us.
Even among Jesus' own disciples they constantly fought to be Christ's "favorite"!
In Matthew 18:1-3 it says," At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a little child and set him before them, 3 and said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, unless you repent [that is, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, live changed lives] and become like children [trusting, humble, and forgiving], you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever [a]humbles himself like this child is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Christ basically says in the first part that instead of striving to show how "mature" we can be, let us instead strive to be humble and open to learn from our heavenly Father. Everything we think we bring to the table means nothing unless we learn to humble ourselves and become as a child. Living a life of learning, and honoring ALL who are around us.
