A Parable
Imagine you’re a high school physics teacher. You go to school; you work hard to pass your exams. You get certified. You’re no Einstein, but you’re no Joe Schmo either. Yes, you had plenty of support along the way, but in the end you worked hard to earn your position. You know about physics, and you know about school. Last year, the State Superintendent of Schools honored your hard work and perseverance to get certified.
There is a student in your class. Well, she is enrolled, at least. She doesn’t actually come to class. She doesn’t read the book. She doesn’t attend the labs. She doesn’t participate in the study sessions. But one day, she gets mad about something completely unrelated to physics, completely devoid of any importance to school. Basically, she just decides she doesn’t like you. Of course, that’s all okay considering she doesn’t come to class, read the book, attend the labs or participate in any study sessions. Still, she calls the State Superintendent of Schools and demands that you, the teacher, be removed. She threatens ‘I’m gonna quit school if you don’t give us a new teacher’.
Your Consideration of the Following Questions
Now imagine this is the church. The physics teacher is the local pastor, the student is a member (not a youth). The State Superintendent of Schools represents the Conference leadership (District Superintendents and Bishop).
- What do you think should happen?
- In what ways is the physics class scenario applicable to conflict in the church? In what ways are the two environments different?
- What is required of the student/member in this scenario? What is required of the teacher/pastor? What is required of the State Superintendent/Conference leadership?
- What does “authority” mean in a church whose polity is somewhat foreign to the culture around it?
- When is it okay to allow members to leave?
I wrote this years ago out of a conflict that forced me to itinerate. Everything mostly worked out.
