People have often wondered, “Why don't pastors take a stand and speak out?" I've been a teacher (and learner) of God's Word since the 90's. I believe I am qualified to answer that
question. Here is the stark reality: the vast majority of pastors today are “success" oriented. Beginning in Bible College or seminary, and continuing throughout a pastor's ministerial life, the
emphasis is success. And that means church growth, larger congregations, bigger buildings, bigger offerings, burgeoning statistics, greater notoriety, denominational praise, invitations to speak
at conferences, applause from fellow ministers, not to mention the financial perks and benefits that come with pastoring a “successful" church.
And the way to learn how to build a successful church is to learn from those who have done it. Pastors regularly attend church growth conferences to learn from the “big" church pastors
on how it's done. They purchase books, magazines, newsletters, etc., that are all geared towards telling pastors how to build a successful church. They are constantly being schooled in the latest
and greatest “how to" strategies of church growth and success. This usually entails more and more sophisticated programs, music, sound, lighting, atmosphere, classes, seminars, organization, etc.
Everything, and I mean everything, is geared toward success as described in the aforementioned paragraph.
Most pastors today are in reality not spiritual shepherds as much as they are corporate CEOs. The same mentality, philosophy, and strategy that drive corporate boardrooms also drive the
boardrooms of modern churches--to a tee. Pastors act like CEOs, dress like CEOs, talk like CEOs, manage like CEOs, and think like CEOs.
Dare I say that even the way pastors and churches cater, and “reach out," and “minister," etc., has mostly to do with “good business." (Yard sales, cook outs for
money drives to fund whatever...). Church members are babied and pacified and stroked and petted and fawned-over because it is “good business." Today's Christians are so spoiled and
petted that any dereliction or lack of attention by a pastor, church, or staff usually results in them “moving their letter" down the street to a place that will more readily cater to their
temperamental demands.
Have you not noticed how most pastors spiritualize away the great examples of Bible heroism and defiance against tyranny and despotism? Ask them point blank about Daniel and the lion's den or the
three Hebrew children in the burning fiery furnace or Queen Esther or scores and scores of other acts of defiance lauded in Holy Writ and they will say, “That was another time." Or, they
might say, “This shows God's great deliverance and protection." But the overriding principle that drove the great heroes of the faith to challenge and defy evil government is never even
acknowledged, much less addressed.
The great lesson of the above-mentioned heroes and heroines is not that God delivered them, because many of them were NOT delivered. As Paul notes in Hebrews 11: “Others were tortured, not
accepting deliverance…And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the
sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented…they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in caves of the earth." (Hebrews
11:35-38 KJV). The great lesson of the above-mentioned heroes and heroines is their willingness to defy evil authority--regardless of outcome. Listen to the three Hebrew children:
“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us
from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden calf which
thou hast set up." (Daniel 3:16-18 KJV)
These men knew that God COULD deliver them, but they did not know if He WOULD deliver them. And to them, it didn't matter: they were willing to defy the tyranny of King Nebuchadnezzar regardless.
They were not going to bow to the unlawful, illegitimate authority of the state (in whatever form it appeared). That is the glaring lesson of every single one of these great stories of
defiance.
Further, most pastors and teachers absolutely refuse to tell the truth of Hebrews 11:34: “(They)"..... waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the
aliens." This Biblical passage shows the courage of past believers who took up the sword against tyrants and despots. In the same breath that Paul extolled the sacrifice of believers who
were willing to die for their faith, he also extolled the bravery of believers who were willing to fight for their faith. But you NEVER hear that from the vast majority of pastors today.
If you hear any mention of, say, America's Founding Fathers from today's pastors, it is that the founders were wrong, that they violated Romans 13, that God did not lead them to declare
independence and revolt against the British Crown. Such is the ignorance and cowardice of today's ministers.
And while we are on the subject, the misinterpretation of Romans 13 is one of the chief reasons why most pastors and churches are so utterly indifferent or silent about resisting evil
government.
Re: Romans 13: You cannot find in Romans Chapter 13 where it is written that God expects (much less demand) believers to submit to evil, wicked authority.
There's a book called: "To Keep or Not To Keep: Why Christians Should Not Give Up Their Guns." This book searches the entire Bible and conclusively proves that self-defense is not only a
God-ordained right; it is a God-ordained DUTY--and that Christians are totally justified in NOT surrendering their means of self-defense to any civil
authority.
Again, it is all about success. To the average pastor, nothing is as anathema (strongly disliked) as controversy. And nothing is more controversial than politics. Therefore, pastors are taught to
avoid politics like the plague. Of course, they won't tell you that the controversial nature of politics is the reason they avoid it; they will tell you that “God has not called me to get
involved in politics," or, “I'm trying to build a church," or, “That's not our mission," or any number of other pious-sounding clichés. But the reality is they are trying
to be successful, and they believe controversy hinders success.
That's also why you seldom, if ever, hear “hard" sermons from the modern pulpit--even though that is exactly the kind of sermons that Jesus Himself preached. (See John
6:60) To the success-driven (that's their purpose driven ideal), religious CEO, people must always feel good; they must be permanently engulfed in their comfort zone; and they must never
be rebuked or informed of misconduct or irresponsibility. And as far as freedom goes, the shallowness of the average pulpit refuses to acknowledge the responsibility of the church to do anything
to preserve it. All they talk about is praying for your political leaders and being good little subjects of the state. This too, can be part of the "falling away" that is spoken of in
2 Thess. 2:3.
Plus, don't forget that most churches are up to their eyeballs in debt. Therefore, pastors are afraid if they offend people offerings will go down and they might not be able to pay for all of
those fancy buildings, their own castles (homes) in the sky, furnishings and exorbitant staff--not to mention their own financial perks (wallets) might be endangered.
And, yes, I must also add that the 501c3 non-profit tax-exempt status most churches operate under poses a serious intimidation against the wussy pastor and church, which keeps
them from taking a stand or speaking out on issues that might be construed as political.
But here is the bottom line: as long as Christians in the pews continue to attend and financially support these stand-for-nothing churches/ministries, the churches will continue to languish in
their indifference; sucking up the sugar-coated lullabies and half truths. After all, by the attendance and offerings of all of these people in the pews, pastors are being continually convinced
that everything they have been taught is working: their churches are successful and all is right in the world.
The ONLY WAY Christians can start making a difference in their country is to GET OUT of these clueless, cowardly churches and find a pastor who is not afraid to
be politically-incorrect, who is not afraid to preach and teach the Biblical principles of liberty, and who is not afraid to preach and teach the principles of righteous defiance against any act
of tyranny. Find a pastor who is not trying to be successful. You don't need a successful pastor; you need a truthful pastor. And lest we forget to mention, find a King James Only
pastor/church.
At the end of the day this means that people in the pews must truly WANT to be in a church that takes a stand, doesn't it? We have the kind of pastors and churches that we are
willing to support. If that's the case, Christians should stop complaining about the indifference of their pastors and simply accept the imminent slavery to which they are being led.
One final sad note: Delusional and false pastors are already employed in the churches; especially those of false ministries on television which will be used to attack
Christians/ Christian doctrines and encourage them to give up their guns and other weapons and submit to an already corrupt government while using Romans 13 to do it. Many will gladly do it
seeing how they will be caught up in the misrepresentation of those Scriptures and give up their all. Others knowing how bad they have fallen short in their lives will willingly submit their guns
feeling like they just need to do more; and seeing it easy to obey that encouraged verse; they will submit to such contempt. The war is truly on!
Lk 16:13 No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God
and mammon.
Mt 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Luke 22:35-36 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing. Then said he unto them, But now, he
that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
_Mn