In 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Paul issued a grim warning for people who damage local churches.
16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 (ESV)
As William Mounce points out, “You” in this passage is plural. Hence, Paul is referring here to God’s people. Paul’s point is that God will deal ever so severely with those who destroy local churches.
Perhaps I am biased given that I am a pastor, but I agree with Mounce (who is not a pastor) who says that the most common way local churches are damaged is through attacks on pastors.
While there is plenty of blame to go around, I am shocked to be finding hundreds of what I call “Pastor Abuse Retreat Centers,” camps and cabins set aside for the healing of battle weary pastors. I’m still waiting to find a retreat for abused elders — not to say this doesn’t happen, but I think the absence of such is telling.
When shepherds of God’s flock fail to do their job, when they allow evil men into positions of power because they are rich or willing to work, when people lusting for power and control destroy a pastor’s ministry, family, and dreams, then the perfect and patient vengeance of God is promised to deliver the crushing blow. Perhaps the movement in America from “Church” to “Religious Mall” is the first stage of that punishment.
But the thing about God’s patience is that it is meant to lead us to repentance. But in always the right time, in always the right way, God will keep his promise and will destroy those who persist in destroying his holy temple—the true followers of Christ.
Having been in the pastorate now a number of years, it amazes me to hear and experience the flippancy with which shepherds are often treated. While pastors are flawed, remember, they are called by God. It is a fearful thing to presume to undermine a pastor.
Having said that, it is still more fearful for pastors who abuse their position (Hebrews 13:17). A point that should cause me and other pastors to tremble.
Read Mounce’s post here.
I share your sentiments.
We pastors need to be sure we do not abuse our perceived power. Whatever we do or say is given much more weight than the average Joe.
There is some credence to this, as far as a pastor/elder’s quality of being “above reproach,” but sometimes more is expected of us than is reasonable.
I am finding that infinite grace is expected of me, but that (a small minority of) others see it as acceptable to treat pastors in the opposite way, as if grace is a one-way street.
Again, this is a vast minority of people, but from what I hear, you can find a couple of them in just about any church (I’ve just settled on the belief that this is for my sanctification).