It has been an interesting journey to watch the responses of church members whenever there is the slightest hint of the need to repent or modify our conclusions. Most are kind about it, offering a word of thanks for their concern and advice, but usually dismiss it as being a negative thing that will tear them down and discourage them. Some will immediately process a number of events in their mind in which the speaker is in need of following his or her own advice. While defenses rise, negative thoughts race through their minds to be used as an offensive weapon to counter what they perceive as attacks against them. The fight is on, and a mental case is built in advance in case an opportunity is given to respond in the future.
Many church members converse in their Bible classes in a similar way. If one is embarrassed by their ignorance, they feel compelled to either “back-peddle” or “explain what they meant to say.” Others will insist on their thoughts being correct and seek to press their views by the misuse of Scripture or resting their entire view on a new meaning they have given a word. Teachers, who are trying to keep peace, will either contribute to the debate by settling it with an ex-cathedral statement that disallows any more discussion, or wisely suggests that it be tabled for a future study.
These examples are not seen in every church, but they represent a fair representation of churches whose members are naturally imperfect and flawed. Local churches and their places of worship and study are public forums for such discussions. If you dare say anything, you might be shot out of the water or hear something like, “Yes, BUT.” Certain ones have to make their mark as standing head and shoulders with the knowledgeable members.
This common observance among churches is tied to the problem of pride. Yet, it’s not peculiar to churches and church gatherings. The prideful declare their spiritual condition in a variety of contexts. However, the arrangement of church worship and Bible classes attempts to create “leaders and followers,” “teachers and pupils/students” with the expectation that the teacher/leader is qualified to present and establish the truth. No one would admit this, but most teachers are preachers and elders who position themselves as the authority on the subjects being taught. To climb up the ranks, one has to position oneself as a person whom the members can trust with their spiritual care. Most feel like they could not afford to lose that positioning.
I suggest to you that the local church framework supports this type of hierarchy and political positioning and is the opposite of the pattern of teaching given by our Lord and His apostles. Peter speaks of those who are “lords over the faith of others.” Jesus speaks of the apostles not having places of authority like the Gentiles. Especially in the absence of the apostles and spiritual gifts, we only have the Word as our guide and the desire of our brethren to remind us of it teaching. Even Peter would speak of writing to brethren of things they already knew so that his purpose was to “remind” them.
In the perfect world among believers, we strive for authentic connections based on love and care. We consistently remind one another of the truth and encourage each other to stay the course, even amidst challenges. We are not angered when we are told something and feel compelled to quickly respond with, “I know that!” or “I’m not …” Spiritual persons have their affections on things above and will continue to exhort, remind, and encourage fellow saints. Some may think that they are being “preached at”, corrected, or condemned. Others will decide on the easy approach to avoid repercussions by remaining quiet. They just keep coming to church where they can hear a preacher give a shotgun approach to sin without any targeted application. After all, no one is perfect, right?
The Bible does not support this view and the reason we attack sin in our lives is because we all acknowledge the enemy and temptations in life and testify to our failures and inadequacies. No one is trying to position themselves as leaders. Certainly, no one perceives themselves as the perfect example of what they profess. For this reason, Galatians 5-6 fixes our attention on the care of fellow saints. We are in the same boat, experience the same general problem of sin, and are watching each other with loving interest and care. We must neither wait to be asked to minister, nor hesitate to remind each other of our spiritual responsibilities for fear of making someone mad. Satan, the god of this world, has infiltrated this mindset into us. It is not from God. The problem is accentuated by prideful members who long to set themselves up as standing a little closer to God and are the example to follow. Consequently, they will never confess wrong. They may admit that they are not perfect or have made terrible mistakes of the past. Yet, you will seldom if ever hear any specific confession of sin. To do so is to drop them down a notch in the organization. Depending on what sin was committed, it may drop them down to the point of losing their preaching or pastoring position. You will find this in churches, but not among the called-out. All are treated equally and no one stands taller than the other. Something is terribly wrong when you can’t confess for fear of being kicked out of the church.