Vigilance

[GCTSnormyeater]

How many times do you find yourself blind-sided by “pressing� issues of persons who think themselves to be the “squeakiest wheel� demanding the most attention? Yes, even among the busiest, most committed persons that appear to put their best foot forward, while tripping the pastor/congregation with the other.

Around the office these may be referred to as “high maintenance� people. For example, a secretarial staff member who seems to be a wizard at organizing office work, but has the public relations finesse of a rock. Or take the lay leader who makes it his/her agenda to enlighten the congregation on issues “never preached in our pulpit�. Further, a public planning commission which seems to be set on holding a church building project hostage.

I recall a holiday family picnic being interrupted by a congregational member loudly accusing another member - a relative - of knowingly releasing livestock into his garden. As the new pastor, I had little knowledge of the long time rivalry between these two - dating back to their childhood. Subsequently, adding to the mix was that the majority of the congregation’s leadership team were related to both of the members. The outcome of the situation was that “sides� were chosen at a deadlock, and the pastor and congregational moderator were charged with making a judgment of who was right and who was wrong. Needless to say, each member positioned himself strategically with a circle of “power brokers� within the congregation which appeared to force the pastor and moderator into a proverbial corner.

The above situation resulted in a chosen deadlock which left a young shepherd feeling spiritually vulnerable and professionally weak. Years later, it is agreed by leadership that the situation was “six of one and a half dozen of the other�. Each member in his own way was wrong, and each bore the resulting break in fellowship with the congregation.

“Squeaky wheels� appear to posture themselves to take advantage of any opening “at the gate�. What’s a shepherd to do when these people make threats and give ultimatums? As a gatekeeper, it is imperative to see with Christ’s eyes and hear with Christ’s ears. The writer’s advice is to plummet the depths of “open-ended listening prayer�. This allows the shepherd to step out of the arena of human threat to engage in spiritual vigilance or biblical gate keeping.