truth-telling!

I met with a long time friend today. He recently was asked to meet with some church leaders at another church. They were seeking discernment in confronting and leading their Pastor who was controlling and manipulating the church.

This was a déjà vu experience for him. Many years earlier he worked to love and befriend another pastor who was controlling the church he was leading in. He spoke truth to his friend, but unfortunately he was alone. In his situation, those closest to the pastor were unwilling to be honest. They would talk behind his back, but lacked the courage to speak truth in love to him. Because of this, it made it appear that my friend was a problem leader rather than addressing the out-of-control actions of the pastor.

This situation further convinced my friend of the importance of honesty. This church eldership was asking my friend for advice. His advice was that they all had to commit to honesty with the pastor, no matter how difficult that experience is. His disappointment was that while he had the experience, it lacked the positive outcome he had prayed for because he stood alone in truth-telling. His hope for today is that this would be a positive outcome for this other church.

As my friend and I discussed, leadership is hard. Yes, at times it really sucks. But Jesus Christ leads us to be the right person in the midst of hard and that my friends, makes it worth it.

Can you share a story of how you shared truth with a leader or how you regret not doing so?