Pastors, Power & Platforms

It was over 15 years ago but it is a moment that haunts me to this day. I was a graduate student taking courses through my denomination's seminary and I was learning things that others did not have the opportunity to learn. Unfortunately, the knowledge only served to puff my own sense of self. 

At a county fair there was a church that had a display designed to convince people to fall in love with Jesus. I saw the display and it was poorly done. The evangelistic techniques were dated. The use of scripture was out of context. My inflated self felt the need to do something about it so I whipped out my theological training as one would unsheathe a razor sharp sword and with one swinging question, I left the man speechless and walked away.

Sometime later, I don’t remember when, conviction set in. Fifteen years later I still wish I could take that moment back. I still wish I could find the man who was at a loss for words. I still wish I could find him and tell him I am sorry. I hope to see him in heaven some day and apologize there. 

In our politically divisive world I often see those in leadership positions using their power and platforms to exercise influence over others. This has never been more evident since the rise of social media. Sometimes there are those who move beyond influence and powerful people wield arguments as they would a sharp ax. Unfortunately, Christ-followers can be found spiritually bleeding all over our church and neighborhood.

My heart grieves from a place once filled with prideful arrogance that gave rise to confession. I can’t change what I did to that man at the county fair but I can choose to never be that man again as the Holy Spirit would give me strength. I have learned a few things from my failure that I hope would be helpful for those with power, a position and a platform.

What principles should guide those in power who have positions and use a platform to speak?

  1. Be patient in responding to trending news. I have been saved on many occasions from humiliating myself by waiting and researching to discover the truth of a story. I have never heard the whole story on the news. It is rare to discover the truth of a story in the first couple days of trending news. Do the hard work of finding original documents and read them. Don’t trust what others say about something. Read original source documents before you speak.
  2. Always consider the spiritual age of the one you are speaking to. If you don’t know the spiritual age of the one you are speaking to, as in a social media context, exercise great caution because your theological treatise might do more harm than good. Theologically trained persons can do great spiritual harm and discouragement in social media contexts. Our argument may make us feel good as we “set them straight” but we don’t want to leave mutilated hearts in our wake.
  3. Our power, positions and platforms usually have the best impact in partnering with God to change lives, not in mass, social media contexts, but in the one-on-one relationships in life. I choose to believe that the man formerly known as Saul would today be more focused on his Timothy than his Twitter. If you want to change public opinion on an issue, start with the person you are mentoring.
  4. Remember that you do not exist to save the world from itself. Jesus has already done that for us. The closer to your front door someone lives, the more likely you can become a partner with God in impacting that persons life. The better you know that person, the more the Holy Spirit can help you to help that person. Social media sword swinging won’t likely change many, if any, minds and is less likely to have a positive spiritual impact.
  5. Find the right voice. There are times when we must speak into an issue that impacts a person or the larger body of Christ. Finding the right voice is critical. There are times when a gentle, grace-filled word is perfect. There are other times when correction is needed. Sometimes a prophetic word is appropriate. If you find yourself using the same voice for every issue you may want to find a way to use the many voices that our role enables us to use.

I can count on the fact that the righteous outrage over what is happening this week will be replaced with righteous outrage over what is going to happen next week. Television ratings depend on our outrage. Let those of us called into ordained ministry take the time to pray, seek wisdom and search scripture for the right voice and opportunities to speak into the lives of those God has entrusted to us. 

Heavenly Father, may I never use the ordained ministry as a platform to cause spiritual harm to others. Grant that I would be an instrument of grace, correction and prophecy as I speak into the issues of our day. May my words be rooted in your Word and be used by your Holy Spirit according to your will.