The Problem with Democracy

I love our country. I love our heritage. I love our freedom. Most of the time, I love our political process. But I wonder if too much of the American democratic ideal has become infused in the church with unintended and undesirable consequences. Before you label me as unpatriotic, consider the mindset of most voters at an election. They will cast their ballots for the candidates that best represent their personal needs. They may say they want what is best for the country, but “best” tends to mirror their own interests. As Christians, we are called to deny ourselves, not to make decisions based on personal preference or convenience. This should be especially true with the choices we make in the church. Our congregational decision-making should look markedly different from the political arena. We conclude a national election by saying, “The people have spoken,” referring to those who have cast their ballots. But in a church, our decisions should reflect the needs and interests of people who didn’t “vote” because they were not even in the room. They’re the ones who we are called to reach. Of course, the only way this happens is when we listen to the unseen Presence that is in the room. Our decisions should always be guided by the Holy Spirit. As one pastor told me, “Our elders don’t vote on anything; our elders pray and fast. If there’s not a oneness of the Spirit of God, then we push the pause button and wait until there’s clarity.” Is your church or ministry too democratic? If you’re not sure, take an inventory of the last few major decisions that you’ve made. What might God want to reveal to you and your leadership team? It’s easy to receive my blogs by email. Just sign-up on Feedburner by clicking here.]]>