THE CHURCH IN A CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY(31)

 When Correction Becomes a Taboo

“But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong.”

— Galatians 2:11

In recent times—particularly in a case involving a certain pastor in Nigeria who inscribed tattoos on his body—there has been serious outrage within the Christian community against such conduct. The heated arguments aired publicly are of considerable concern.

While I am not stepping into the arena as a debater, what truly baffles me is the response of the concerned pastor and some of his reactions to the outrage. These responses raise several pertinent questions:

1. Has correction become a taboo in the Christian body?

2. What is the standard of measurement for spiritual ranking?

3. What is the meaning of “local” and “international” pastor?

4. Are pastors above correction and discipline?

As earlier observed, the said pastor tattooed his body, and many Christians—and others—were of the opinion that this is not appropriate for a man of God. The pastor fumed at the various comments and decided to respond in the following manner:

1. “There is ranking in the spirit. My junior cannot talk to me when I am talking.” 

Again, what is the yardstick for such ranking? Help me, please.

2. “There are people you cannot correct. The scope of what they are handling—you can’t grasp it.”

Who are these people, and why are they not open to correction? What determines the age, status, or position of a man who cannot be corrected? Who determines the scope of a man’s assignment according to the Scriptures?

3. “I feel insulted being questioned by a JUNIOR MINISTER.”

Who are these “juniors,” and who gave them that designation? What makes a senior a senior?

4. “You cannot Google search and be in ministry for two years and want to correct a pastor of thirty years.”

What is the approved duration of ministry before one may speak the truth?

5. “I see small rats that want to talk.”

Are these “rats” humans or animals?

These, among many others, were his responses to the public outrage.

He also alluded to Peter, suggesting that Peter could not understand some of Paul’s divine dealings.

My simple contention is Christian correction.

Paul corrected Peter—most damningly, in the presence of the congregation where Peter had been held in high esteem for years. Who was Paul to Peter? Peter was one of the first disciples of Jesus. He experienced and knew Jesus more closely than any of the apostles. Paul did not even walk with Jesus physically. By today’s standards, such correction would be considered absurd.

Yet how did Peter respond to this public “assault”? With love and humility. To the extent that Peter later defended Paul, saying to the accusers:

“Consider the patience of our Lord to be salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given to him… Some things in them are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.”

— 2 Peter 3:15–16

This is the noble example we learn from the men of old. No ranking. No castigation. No rebuff. They received correction—positive or negative—with joy and gladness.

I am at a loss for words to describe the disposition of today’s Christians toward correction and rebuke. No wonder many move from one denomination to another, running to the shelter of those who will embalm their wrongdoing and celebrate their gullible lifestyles.

I wonder silently how those called to remote villages and dangerous mission fields feel when they hear this dichotomy of “local” and “international” pastors. No wonder some will never support missionary activities that do not bring them public applause. What politicians in disguise!

Sincerely, I am disturbed by the notion that the scope of a man’s ministry is determined by his personal effort or achievements. The Apostle Paul says:

“I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am… I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:9–10

Here is a man who understood that God determines scope and influence by grace, not status.

Some so-called men of God are becoming too comfortable with prosperity and affluence. They are being carried away by public applause and media influence.

More than ever before, it is time for Christians to beware of pride and to allow the rod of correction to shape them. Once you outgrow correction, you are already out of bounds with God.

Peter Abdul-Razaq OLAYINKA

A Serving Missionary with Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara

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