Of the many things I’ve learned about pastoral ministry over these years one stands out among the most helpful: There is a real danger in consistently defining yourself and your ministry by what you are against. Take it from a recovering fundie. Here are some “warnings.” Pun intended.

I spent a brief portion of my pastoral ministry under an “angry prophet.” You know… “that guy.” He’s the preacher-pastor who somehow finds his way to the kindling and accelerant in every sermon, or writing project. The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” is on a loop in the background of his life. I loved the gentlemen and still do. He loved Jesus Christ and still does. He was well intended. I learned an awful lot from his ministry and am grateful for almost all of it. But, some things I have had to unlearn. One such lesson was the danger of incessantly defining your ministry by what you are against. My fundamentalist background made the warning emphasis of his ministry especially appealing. I watched this man unnecessarily alienate himself from everyone around him and eventually implode. I took copious notes. I looked inward.

Hear me. There is a need for warning and discernment. There are things we need to argue about. There are people we need to confront. There are unbiblical and dangerous positions that need to be obliterated with sound biblical argumentation. There is room to disagree. Bleeding heart idealists who suppose there’s a plane where this never happens need to get a grip. Unity does not equal unanimity, and it certainly does not come at the expense of truth. We should not hesitate to take the responsibility of defending and contending for the truth upon us. If we resist then we should step out of ministry.

Confession. I don’t like controversy. I understand that at times it’s necessary and unavoidable. But, the majority of times we find ourselves in the middle of a controversy it actually was unnecessary and avoidable. No true shepherd cares for it or will seek it out. They will certainly consider being the source of it – even when it is necessary – distasteful. Those who love to be in controversy usually can afford to be.

There was a time when I considered the label of “angry prophet” a virtue. “Harsh” is a spiritual gift in certain circles. I could “Ready! Shoot! Aim!” with the best of them. That is until God broke my arrogant heart (as he continues to do every day) against the Cross of Jesus Christ with its obvious connection to my sin. Ironically, God used the above season of ministry to hold a mirror up to my own pride. I did not like what I saw. I continue to battle against many of these same tendencies even today. (I praise God for his mercy towards me and for the Righteousness of Christ that covers me even as I self-righteously censure those covered by the same alien righteousness!)

Of the many things I’ve learned about pastoral ministry over these years one stands out among the most helpful: There is a real danger in consistently defining yourself and your ministry by what you are against. Take it from a recovering fundie. Here are some “warnings.” Pun intended.

Read more.