Just How Weak Are You?

Recently I was involved in a Twitter conversation concerning weakness vs. strength. The catalyst for the conversation was the following statement:


"Cater to the weak, the weak get weaker. Cater to the strong, the weak get stronger."


In my opinion, this credo sums up the fundamental flaw with present-day pentecostalism. Yeah, I know, you're thinking, "Here goes Monte on another sacred cow tipping adventure," but please look past my normal brashness to the heart of this statement. While this thinking may be a vitally important leadership principle in a secular sense, there is no biblical basis for the theory. 


There is an obsession in the Apostolic Movement with leadership. We have leadership conferences where we are taught to focus on leading people and are indoctrinated with the latest team-building guru's enlightened drivel. I'll be the first to admit that there is some good that is to be gleaned from these types of sessions, but I'll also be the first to admit that these sessions do—in fact—rob our attention from our true purpose: disciple making.


When did GOD call us to be great leaders?


Appreciating the political irony of Ayn Rand's novels doesn't mean that her economic views gee-haw with the Text (especially what with her being an atheist and all). Too often we form our spiritual opinions and posture by our social and political view, rather than allowing our relationship and mission from GOD to shape every other aspect of our lives.


To reference the statement: cater to the strong… This flies in the face of GOD. Jesus demonstrated to us that the Good Shepherd will leave the 99 [strong] sheep to go searching for the one lost [weak] sheep. In fact, if you take the time to study the Text from Genesis to Revelation, you won't find one instance of the weak being ignored for the sake of the strong. You will find, however, plenty of examples of the strong being admonished to bear up those who are struggling or in need.


In my opinion, this obsession with leadership stems from the deification of our processes, or denominational structures. We're so drunk on power that we can't live without the euphoria of leadership. For so long we have lived our lives within the confines of these organizations or fellowships that were created by man and for man that we've actually started to drink our own Kool-Aid. Well, lest a new generation die on the streets of our denominational Jonestowns, let's face the fact that our structures are drifting us far from GOD and His Mission.


I have recently been accused of wanting to water down Truth for the sake of convenience. This accusation was hurled by individuals who have sat at the feet of their own headlines for so long that they've forgotten their purpose, so blinded are they to their myriad additions to the Text. GOD never called us to build churches full of strong people. GOD never called us to build art galleries full of perfect people. GOD never called us to punish the weak members of our congregations by ignoring their struggles and character flaws. GOD called us to make disciples. A disciple maker's job is to teach and instruct a weak individual into strength. If anything, the strong should be ignored because they've got their crap together. What was it Jesus said? Something about if you're not sick you don't need a doctor…?


I'm sorry, far be it from me to actually utilize Text to shift the discussion.


Here's a thought: consider for a moment that you're an under-shepherd entrusted with the care of the Shepherd's flock while He's gone on business. When He returns you tell Him that rather than present Him with a flock of sickly, worn down sheep, you simply put all your focus on those who never got sick, who never drifted off on their own, who never had to be taught to eat the right grass, etc. Then you tell Him that because you were focusing only on those sheep who were strong that you decided that the weak sheep would learn by example to simply return to the flock when they'd drifted off, or would see all the strong sheep eating the good grass and see that they should change their eating habits, or see that the other sheep weren't sick and thus heal themselves. Then tell Him that those weak sheep who wouldn't learn from the example of the strong sheep… well, you just let them go, because they were holding the flock back from their full potential. Then, when you've told the Shepherd all of this, show Him His flock. Do you really think for a moment that He's going to be pleased that only a few sheep remain? Do yourself a favor, read W. Phillip Keller's book A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23; it will change your opinion on the true role of a pastor in the lives of the congregation. Understanding our role as under-shepherd realigns us with our true purpose.


When we forget our purpose we create our own doctrines and missions; hence, religiosity and denominationalism.


Paul admonished us to glory in our infirmities. And no, he's not talking about physical infirmities, he's referencing our spiritual worthlessness. Isaiah told us that—in GOD's eyes—our best attempts at appearing holy are as if we were to wear clothes that have been used to clean human excrement or to absorb menstrual discharge (do the study, you'll see that I'm correct). Could it be that we're so covered in all of this that we've stopped diffracting His Light and Glory?


We need to stop lying to ourselves. We all struggle with issues. There are times when we're all weak, and there are time in which we are all strong; although I'd be willing to bet that the weak moments far outweigh the strong ones. GOD didn't call us to be dictatorial leaders who's desire for global conquest drive us to create uber-humans. He called us to make disciples by imitating His own life, and by teaching His yoke.


I'll leave you with this statement: Cater to the strong, your kingdom will grow. Heal the weak, bear them up, teach them where they screwed up, pray for them through their humanity… do all this and you'll be advancing GOD's Kingdom.