Let me begin by reiterating and expanding on the concerns I expressed on the 6th Nov 2008 when I was asked (jokingly) in a cell group if I was leaving the church.
I responded by saying that there had been a number of times over the last two years when we had considered leaving and I shared (with others) concerns about the nature & character of leadership. On a personal level we were very disappointed that leadership did not always engage with us where we are at (emotionally, pastorally, theologically, ministerially or in our guidance).
Not withstanding these concerns I went on to say that there was no such thing as the perfect church and we should continue to pray for and support leadership until such time as we can no longer support the aims, vision (and ethos) of the church. (Floyd McClung comments that at such times it is better to move on than cause a division).
Most of our concerns began when the church became independent and adopted a new paradigm characterised by what I now know as the PDC model that included concentric “circles of commitment”[1] and assimilation. I did mention these concerns at the time, and I did say that people would leave. I am not sure to what extent the new paradigm adopted was based on the PDC model (which is reported to be more controlling and manipulative) and the extent to which it formed the basis of our concerns.
We were also disappointed that when we did bring concerns to leadership there was no sense that leadership had sought the mind of God in relation to the concerns. If leadership did seek the mind of God this was not communicated to us.
Some of our concerns
- My emotional overload – no substantive response
- My wife’s work at the clinic – stress-related muscular spasms
- The Wei Wei incident – emotionally & psychologically bruised
- London Citizens – did you receive a mandate from the Lord
- Wild at Heart/Promise Keepers/ECM – only a descriptive response
- Purpose Driven Life/Wild at Heart – did you receive a mandate from God
- Our withdrawal from Moldova trip – poorly handled – nearly left church
- My wife’s treatment by older sisters
- Lack of support when we got involved in ministry outside of Church
[1] Warren, R, 1995, The Purpose Driven Church: Growth Without Compromising Your Message & Mission, Zondervan page 130