I am all for plurality of elders. It is the Biblical model, and I agree wholeheartedly with it.
But not everyone has the model working in their local assembly, right now, so my comments were directed at those who don't have that model.
Secondly, I have had an abusive pastor, for ten years. If you want all the gory details, PM me.
But I will say this:
GOD, yes GOD, removed him. Here's the short version...
After a leadership meeting in which he attacked, derided, and threatened us, he had me stay after for an extra unwarranted keel hulling regarding me taking early time off from ministry as my wife went into her 8th month of pregnancy with our first child (just to give you an idea).
I didn't fight back, I didn't speak up, I didn't defend myself against the injustice. I bowed my head and left.
Later that day, in prayer, trying not to get offended, or let the hurt of the situation go too deeply, God said "He's a bully". That settled it for me, and I didn't worry about it at all. Peace like a river.
Two weeks later, a prophet came to our church, met with the leadership team, said "God told me there is sin in the camp".
My former pastor and the prophet talked privately afterward. Two weeks later, the pastor resigned, a month later, he was gone.
Again, that's the condensed version.
But here is what I gained out of the experience:
1.) If I can submit to him in all things (as I did) then I can submit to anyone, up to and including God Himself, if He should ever require a hard level of sacrifice otherwise against my human will.
2.) Just as David's heart melted for coming against a demon-afflicted Saul, so, too did I realize that God allows certain people into your life to teach hard lessons. These are to be embraced as gifts from God.
3.) Adversity and trials are the main catalyst for spiritual growth. Without them, we wilt and fade away.
4.) The cross comes in many shapes and sizes. Whatever the Lord knows it takes for me to endure until the end, I will receive, including a pastor who lost his way and did as much damage, if not more, than any good he accomplished.
5.) I now appreciate those ministers more who take a much more gentle approach to leadership and shepherding. I also have more compassion on those who've gone through the school of hard-knocks.
6.) That if a pastor has lost it and becomes an
Ezekiel 34 type of pastor, the worst thing that one could possibly do is bail, and leave the rest of the brethren to that man's tyranny.
I am blessed by the Lord for having stayed, having submitted, having given honor when sometimes, especially toward the end, when no honor was due. I am telling you, reverencing some not for their person and demeanor, but for the calling and anointing God has placed on them (even if they end up back-slidden and corrupted, throwing spears to kill) is the single most important lost teaching in the church today.
You must understand. Jesus had nothing to do with the abuse I and we suffered. It wasn't His fault. I was ordained by God to be in the local assembly I was and still am, in.
Not knowing that, or not caring enough to stay with that in mind, would have been a personal disaster, no matter how just and righteous it would have seemed for me to leave.
Turn the other cheek really means what it means. These teachings of the Lord are so routinely forgotten and ignored, or at least people don't realize what they look like and how they are to be applied in and by the real world.
We are way too comfortable with our own ease.
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