The first brick

When building a structure, there is always a first brick. A cornerstone. Something to make sure the rest of the building is going to be set up straight, sturdy, and structurally sound. Today, I hope I didn't have a first brick experience.

If you remember my last post about the ugly and how I have an evil plan to take over the church and create it in my own image. I may have seen some more evidence today that shows that it may indeed be the prevalent thought out there. Each month, the deacon body meets with the pastor to have a meeting. When Dale was here, staff was included in this meeting. Today, I walk in and everyone has this dumbfounded look like, "Oops. We forgot to mention this before." The chairman turns to Brian and begins talking about how this meeting should really be between the deacons and the Pastor. If anything needs to be relayed to the staff (because, we're just staff. We aren't pastors) then the pastor can relay it. I can understand the sentiment but let me try to process this. Steve and I are the staff. Steve can never show up to these meetings because he is running praise team practice during the deacon's meeting. So that leave... me.

Last meeting, the deacons were talking about deacon training and how the new candidates couldn't meet for training at a given time because they were involved with other ministries. The point came out that maybe if they couldn't meet with the deacons at an appointed time, then maybe they weren't going to show the commitment to be deacons. Let me get this straight -- because they are showing a commitment to a ministry that they are currently working in (AWANA for 2 of them), then they are not committed to deacon ministry? I spoke up pretty adamantly against that last meeting. I have to wonder if this is a reason they didn't want me in there this meeting, or any more in the future. That and the Escarzaga stranglehold on FBC.

Ok, I am being pretty negative right now. Have to try to calm down. I need to work with kids today and right now, my joy is pretty much sapped which makes for a bad day.

So what is this brick building? With others around me, I have noticed that things are building that may point to God creating a discontent with the current situation and showing that His will is that there be a major change. I have understood that and have told them that I will hold nothing against them but I feel that God still has me and my family here to minister. It's amazing how one event, something that could be completely harmless, could start that building. I am going to take the deacons at face value and say that there is good reason for this but I am going to have to fight a feeling of under appreciation and disrespect to my God-ordained position here at the church.

Last week, I mentioned 1 Samuel 26 where David refused to kill Saul when he had the chance because Saul was "God's Anointed." Here is how the chapter ends.

21 Then Saul said, "I have sinned. Come back, David my son. Because you considered my life precious today, I will not try to harm you again. Surely I have acted like a fool and have erred greatly."

22 "Here is the king's spear," David answered. "Let one of your young men come over and get it. 23 The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. 24 As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble."

25 Then Saul said to David, "May you be blessed, my son David; you will do great things and surely triumph." So David went on his way, and Saul returned home.

Because David respected the position of King and spared Saul's life, it brought Saul to a place of repentance and reconciliation. If there is something wrong with the way someone is leading, beheading them is not always the right answer. God can do so much more if we, as a people, respect the positions that He set up and appointed. He can bring change. He can change lives. He can heal broken relationships. He can draw us closer to Him. He doesn't need us to act in vengeance, holy indignation, 'justice' or hate. God is powerful enough to do what He knows is right without our interference. Time to go.