I think one of the greatests threats to the local church's spiritual vitality is the personal grievances we silently hold against each other without saying a word. Many of us walk around secretly boycotting close relationships, stronger commitments, and needed support because of past hurts that made us angry.
I once couldn't figure out a guy in our church who hated me so much... until he disclosed that he'd been abused by a minister when he was young. He had projected his animosity onto me because of my pastoral role. And it goes both ways. I've had to be careful not to let my past hurts destroy my trust in people today.
I think guys are more likely to run secret rebellions years after the fact... against father-figures, against ministry leaders, against the church in general. One dude in History actually told me 4 years ago, "I guess I don't like you because you remind me of someone I hate."
Thank God he gives us the power to forgive, heal and trust again.
I couldn't agree more. I just had this same discussion with one of my mentors Wednesday evening. It's cool to get written affirmation :)
Posted by: Thad Paris | November 10, 2006 at 09:43 PM