Leadership and Openness, I

Monday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 39
NT: Galatians 1
W&W: Ecclesiastes 11

Tuesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 40
NT: Galatians 2
W&W: Ecclesiastes 12

Wednesday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 41-43
NT: Galatians 3
W&W: Psalm 105.1-22

Thursday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 44
NT: Galatians 4
W&W: Psalm 105.23-36

Friday’s Scripture Readings:
OT: Jeremiah 45-46
NT: Galatians 5
W&W: Psalm 105.37-45

Today’s Reflection:

Last night at Bethel Church of the Nazarene, we had the first in a series of Towne Hall Meetings. To be honest with you, after seeing what was happening to our senators and congressmen and women, I approached this meeting with some fear and trepidation. God helped us get off to a good start, though!

I began the evening with addressing a question about outreach: “Pastor I was wondering about… any plans for outreach ministries.” The question was unsigned though a place for a signature was included. Anonymous communication is “anathema” in my book, but since this was obviously an innocent question, with no underlying message, I used it to address the issue of anonymity at the very beginning of our Towne Hall Meeting. What follows are excerpts from my teaching on anonymity. I hope it helps you.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth: “We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you… As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also” (2 Corinthians 6.11, 13). The purpose of this Towne Hall Meeting is to open up dialogue between pastor and people and among the people as well. Anonymous communication does not open up dialogue, but closes it.

Let me tell you about my philosophy and practice of openness. I like to have your feedback. Many pastors I’ve talked to avoid this kind of thing like the plague. They hate it. And, we all know that there is always potential for misunderstanding or misuse. But, the returns given on an investment of openness and transparency – and even vulnerability – far outweigh the risks.

At this point I don’t have a history with you and there are no problems we need to address. Neither pastor nor people have an axe to grind, so this is the perfect time to establish our openness. Yet, I must remind you that for this to work in the way God wants it to, we must always be kind! All behavior, words or attitudes that do not reflect the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control) are out of order and will not be a part of our dialogue. Not only did Paul say he spoke freely to the church, he also said he opened his heart to them and he expected the same from them! Open communication requires an open and tender heart!

In our communication, we must avoid at all costs “triangulating,” the practice of talking to Jim about John and trying to win Jim to your point of view. That type of recruiting is not worthy of Christian fellowship. Frankly, “sanctifying” this practice (of triangulating) has cost the church more than any other misuse of communication. Don’t talk to me about him. Talk to him about him and to me about me. If you are afraid to confront someone, get on your knees and pray until God gives you the courage you need. If it doesn’t come, maybe it is not of God. Or, you may need someone to go with you. Ask me or another brother or sister, to go along. But, don’t ask someone else to carry your message on the condition of anonymity. Nothing divides the church quicker than that. It undermines trust in leadership and quenches the Spirit of love.

Though there is much more to share, I’ll close for today. I plan on continuing this series for the next few days, perhaps weeks as I attempt to answer the questions submitted for our Towne Hall Meeting. I leave you with the words of the Apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus: “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4.15).

This Week’s Scripture to Memorize:
Romans 3.23-24 (How sad that many of us – including me – know Romans 3.23, but we neglect the message of grace in verse 24!): 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.