Just read an interesting and good post by Mark Batterson about accountability for leaders in the church.
It comes at an interesting time after having read Chp. 9 in The Ragamuffin Gospel.
Batterson points out that II Timothy 3:2 says, “The overseer must be above reproach.”
Being above reproach means having well-defined boundaries that we are held accountable to. I never want to do anything to compromise my calling at NCC so I submit my speaking opportunities to our stewardship team. I decide what invitations to accept. But I am alloted 30 speaking days. That helps me in two ways. First of all, it helps me say no. And that is something I have a very difficult time doing! And it keeps me accountable. I’m grateful for the opportunities to influence the kingdom of God at large. And I don’t take it for granted. I want to make sure I’m a good steward of every opportunity.
Brennan Manning on the other hand talks about giving grace and love to all.
If we believe in the exciting message of Jesus, if we hope in vindication, we must love, and even more, we must run the risk of being loved… God wants us back even more that we could possibly want to be back.
Manning then talks about the woman caught in adultery and Jesus’ response.
Now get the picture. Jesus didn’t ask her if she was sorry. He didn’t demand a firm purpose of amendment. He didn’t seem too concerned that she might dash back into the arms of her lover. She just stood there and Jesus gave her absolution before she asked for it. The nature of God’s love for us is outrageous… I don’t think anyone reading this would have approved of throwing rocks at the poor woman in adultery, but we would have made darn sure she presented a detailed act of contrition and was firm in her purpose of amendment. Because if we let her off without saying she was sorry, wouldn’t she be back in adultery before sunset? No the love of our God isn’t dignified at all, and apparently that’s the way he expects our love to be… once we’ve accepted it, he expects us to behave the same way with others.
The two writers seem to be at odds with each other. Or are they? Are we to give grace and love to everyone but our leaders in the church? Seems as though they are required to live above reproach. But what about when they do fall?
Goethe said, “Men will always be making mistakes as long as they are striving for something.” Is that reason enough to let them off the hook? Or should they be held accountable for their actions while someone coming to church on Sunday without getting involved is loved and forgiven over and over again?
To put it on a broader sense, should a kid who commits murder be held to the same accountability and punishment as an adult?
These are some of the things I’m juggling through my head today. What are your thoughts?