When Congregational Meetings Go Awry

Sadly, it seems that what should be a “holy convocation” among God’s people—the “congregational meetings” most churches have—can be like powder kegs awaiting only a spark of resistance, suspicion, or reactivity to cause an explosion. Such congregational detonations can cost a pastor, elder and/or congregation member their ministry or their reputation, and a church its anointing.

It was just such a sinful, reactive response that kept Moses out of the Promised Land. Moses was near his breaking point when the people demanded water at Meribah (Num. 20). After the congregation had complained about their circumstances for the umpteenth time, the powder keg was set and Moses lit the spark: “Listen now, you rebels; shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” That was bad enough, but he then crossed a line from which there was no return, striking the rock twice rather than speaking to it as God had commanded. We’ve watched such congregation meetings where leaders have done similar things.

God knew how exasperating and frustrating the congregation of Israel could be. Nevertheless, He did not change His standards and held Moses (and Aaron) accountable for their actions. Why discipline Moses over his angry response (striking the rock rather than speaking to it) and what can Christian leaders learn from it about sinful reactivity in congregational meetings?

• Moses had a weakness when it came to anger and had a track record of angry clashes. His killing of the Egyptian (Ex. 2:12), his heated confrontation with Pharoah (Ex. 11:8) and smashing the first set of tablets (Ex. 32:19) demonstrate a pattern of reactive behavior. Many of us have such weaknesses and need God’s Spirit to be in complete control when facing a suspicious or resistant congregation. If a Christian leader exhibits an over-the-top reaction in a congregational meeting, it often flows from a character weakness that has been too long tolerated in their life.

• Notice that God held both Moses and Aaron accountable, Moses for his actions and Aaron for his passivity. Aaron did nothing to stop Moses from acting out and thus shared culpability. A modern-day elder board can incur God’s discipline even if only a part of the board is guilty of sinful reactivity – especially if the other board members sit idly by while it happens.

• God’s complaint toward Moses and Aaron was that they “did not treat Me as Holy” (Num. 20:12). In other words, they are charged with failing to remember Who is really Lord of the congregation and acting under His Lordship. This is “conduct unbecoming” representatives of the Lord, displaying something closer to spiritual abuse than shepherding.

• It is interesting that God gives the congregation a pass for their complaining (in this case—not all cases) and holds Moses and Aaron accountable for their reaction. Modern Christian leaders who want to make excuses and cast blame on the opposition for their behavior overlook the special responsibility they carry to always represent the Lord honorably as a leader called by God.

• Displaying their anger publicly and crossing the line of becoming disobedient sealed Moses and Aaron’s fate. The Lord was concerned that they had done this “in the sight of the sons of Israel” (Num. 20:12). They had openly defamed God’s character through their poor behavior. The devil loves when this happens! God does not overlook such malfeasance and implements the Divine discipline Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 11:30-32:

For this reason many among you are weak and sick, and a number are asleep. But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

When Christian leaders display sinful reactivity in a congregational setting, should we believe that simply issuing an apology to the congregation for a poor choice of words or actions will resolve the issue? A superficial “I’m sorry” seldom restores the broken trust an explosion causes. Band-aid apologies or confessions with all the excuses and blame we want to cast on others don’t make things right with God either.

Christian leaders berating a congregation publicly grieves the Holy Spirit. God does not overlook such violations of his Holiness. Until the magnitude of the offense grips leaders who have abused their flock, expect God’s corporate spiritual Presence and blessings to elude us just as the land flowing with milk and honey eluded Moses.

Has your church suffered through an explosive, painful congregational meeting? Deal with the deeper issues that led to harsh words aimed at the congregation, and own the damage done to the church body and the grief it inflicted on the Holy Spirit. No excuses! Then, and only then, can you get back on the road to blessing as you seek to lead your people toward the Promised Land.

Rev. Mark Barnard serves with Blessing Point Ministries which works to help ministries experience healing from painful crises. For insight into healing wounded congregations read, Healing the Heart of Your Church by Dr. Kenneth Quick.