Claiming Authority That Was Not Entrusted to Them

I went to Western Oaks to attend the executive committee meeting tonight, even though I knew what the outcome was likely to be. I was told to leave. "Our meetings are closed," Bob Kaufmann, who leads this committee, said as soon as I walked into Pastor Jeff's office. Not even a "Good evening" or a "How are you tonight?"

Bob had found out earlier from another committee member that I planned to go. He sent me an e-mail at 6 a.m. Wednesday morning that included this line: "As you well know, these meetings are not open to the members of the congregation or anyone not on the Executive Team, as we discuss very confidential matters. There is no reason for you to come tonight."

Actually, I had never heard before that church members were not allowed to attend. Further, there were reasons for me to go. I first of all wanted to listen and observe what went on at an executive committee meeting so I could better understand how this group functioned. I had sent four committee members a list of four questions on Nov. 10, four days earlier, to understand their perspective on Pastor Jeff's forced departure after 18 years of faithful service to the Lord at Western Oaks. None of them replied to my questions; I had to call them a couple days later to confirm that they had received my e-mails.

I also had a question for committee members, based on Bob's e-mail. "When did the body of believers at Western Oaks give you the authority to hold closed meetings?" The truth, of course, is that we did not. They had claimed authority that was not entrusted to them by this body of believers. The answer that I was given was that they must discuss very confidential issues that can't be shared with the entire church. Bob even said that this was Pastor Jeff's idea because he said he needed to discuss things in confidence with the committee, and that they were merely following his recommendation. However, as we all know, Pastor Jeff is no longer here.

I can't even ask what specific issues are being addressed because it is, after all, confidential. I can only take their word that they are discussing things that the church shouldn't know, presumably for our own good. How can we know it's for our own good? Because the committee has decided it for us.

The people of Western Oaks would be better served if the executive committee was open and transparent in their discussions. Whether committee members comprehend this truth or not, this is what they are saying to each member: "You are not to be trusted with information that we decide is too sensitive." The New Testament, on the other hand, clearly teaches that the Holy Spirit indwells every believer. It is the responsibility of every Christ-follower at Western Oaks to seek the Spirit's leadership in all decision of our church. Sure, it can be messy when we're honest and open with the entire congregation. However, if you desire authentic and biblical unity to grow in a church, all believers must be kept fully informed so that they can seek the Lord's direction. A flower cannot grow in total darkness.

I'm sure no member of the executive committee sees this as a control issue, but that doesn't make it any less true. If you are comfortable with this level of control from one committee, be prepared for your next senior pastor to be someone who will not be truly led by the Spirit of God. He'll have to watch his back to make sure he's in lockstep with the key powerbrokers.

On this issue, I respectfully disagree with the direction that Bob and the other executive committee members are leading Western Oaks. They should be open and transparent in their discussions. It would be the better path to travel to bring healing. I was grateful that I and another member whom I invited were able to talk to the committee for almost 30 minutes before Bob told us it was time to leave so they could start their meeting. I then asked each committee member present if they agreed with Bob. Each verbally agreed, and we left. I was also assured that the committee would address the four questions that I asked and would respond. I will post those answers on this blog when I hear from them.

I want to conclude with two quotes from posts made today -- talk about perfect timing -- on the blog of Pastor Wade Burleson, a Southern Baptist minister from Oklahoma. His blog is called Grace and Truth to You, and you'll find it as one of the links in my list. His entire blog is well worth your time to read.

In one post, he quoted Dr. Albert McClellan, who worked for the Southern Baptist Convention's Executive Committee, on the topic of open meetings. "Christian ministries ... should desire to thrive on genuine integrity, full transparency and complete openness. Reputation should not be nearly as important to followers of Christ as integrity. Christ is the light of the world, and all things done in His name, including the spending of donated monies, debates about how to best fulfill our mission and purpose, and questions -- asked and answered -- that lead to greater organizational accountability should all happen in public forums."

Pastor Burleson also quoted Charles Marsh in his book "Wayward Christian Soldiers," on Christian dissent. "Evangelicals are quick to admonish unity when there is a whiff of disagreement in the air. Dissent must be quashed for the sake of harmonious ideals, which we consider spiritual virtues. But perhaps the situation only masks our swift retreat from the cost of discipleship, fueled by an inferiority complex, which plagues us."

Amen. May our own executive committee heed this godly wisdom.