The Pastor's Dilemma: Going Along to Get Along

Like military service, the ministry is a profession where the expectation is to perpetuate the plan, teachings, and beliefs of whatever denomination, church, organization, group, or one-man show. This seems much easier when young and naïve as we trust the "knowing" of those older and dedicated to the cause. 

Over the years, and it usually is years, with more experience in either field, (all fields right?) one becomes less naïve, less trusting, much more discerning and well versed in the topic, and experienced in its applications for the good or bad. That's how one puts ideas and group expectations to the test. By their fruits, you shall know them and all that. 

If we are interested in our field, we study more about it life long and usually get exposed, finally, to other views that either seem more correct and makes more sense or solidify one's life long beliefs. Of course, beliefs are just that and should not be confused with the reality of how any topic actually might be.

I have sat in the offices chatting with any number of very well-trained theologians of most of the mainstream Christian faiths who started their journey as mere kids. We talked openly about all the realities associated with Biblical and Organizational beliefs. When asking direct questions because they actually studied the topic in seminary and had to deal with its implications, I often if not always heard, "Yes, that is correct and I understand that. We addressed that problem with scripture in seminary. But if I teach that, I'd lose my job".  

While this might seem hypocritical, it was just about as frequently followed by "The congregation is not going to understand that any good seminarian who studied in any of the credible institutions that exist are 50 years ahead of the times. What would never be accepted today will be much more accepted by the next generation.  They will go kicking and screaming into the knowledge they are supposed to grow in".  

This makes perfect sense in a world where the man or woman pastor is expected to know everything about the mind, plan, and expectations of God along with what the Bible has to say and to whom, which of course is always going to be an evolving understanding and not fixed. Is any understanding "fixed"?  If it is "fixed" then is it genuine understanding?  Not really but I can hear the scriptures now that are quoted to uphold sameness as if that was how it works in the slippery slope of beliefs. 

In science changing understanding of a topic is interpreted cynically by religionists as "made a mistake", when in fact, they just came to a better understanding as more information presented itself. The difference often is that by nature, they must change. New information in religion can get you dis-membered, marked, scorned, ignored, fired, or killed.  

I feel for many of the average pastor and friend who found themselves at a more advanced age in the WCG fiasco and who moved on to one split, splinter, or sliver or another in their pursuit of sameness. I personally do not doubt sincerity for the most part, though a couple well known upper crust WCG non-field ministry types did blatantly say to me that paycheck and security were the issues for them. I can't say that did not shock me a bit but I get it at their age. It's easy to feel that God is doing all this or that so go with it. 

It's also known as "Going along to get along". 

My nephews feel their own ministerial father died rather young more of a broken heart in the WCG debacle than the disease that took him unexpectedly. He was too invested not to follow at least some security late in life as he also had fallen for the WCG trick of having him sign off on his SS in his youth with the promise of "We will take care of you"  Actually they did as the reward for following those who demanded he flip beliefs from what he grew up with, to what WCG taught and back again to what he grew up with.  In my own case, I have used the analogy of coming to Hockey only to have the ice melted and hoops put up with the demand now I play basketball and not only that but coach it. Not going to happen and didn't. 

That to say that many men and women in ministry and in all denominational settings, as they grow older, face this very real and practical dilemma.  

It is inevitable with anyone who actually "grows in grace and especially knowledge" in their chosen field.  Personally, I find all churches, well except Dave, Gerald, Ron, and Bob, expect one to grow in grace.  Knowledge?  Not so much. Too dangerous to the group. 

The only choice is to see it through or pay the price and start over at a very difficult time in life to do. The price is high and one usually ends up going it alone with many regrets to be put in their place if one is to do it successfully and have a decent life for the rest of their lives. 

In WCG it never paid to speak up if you weren't the one in charge. And so it still is with her daughters.