Pastor Reaches the End of His Rope… Why Does This Always Happen?
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Tue, July 26, 2005
- Viewed 183
- (36) comments so far
(i'll highlight some of the things I found interesting.
PASADENA -- Gordon Kirk, senior pastor of Lake Avenue Church, shocked members of his huge congregation when he resigned last weekend, citing "personal character attacks' and disrespect for his leadership from a vocal minority in the church.
Kirk delivered his formal resignation last Wednesday to the ministry council, the body that guides the 4,000-member congregation. The ministry council includes Kirk and other pastors and about a dozen elected members of the congregation.
Kirk's resignation was not publicly announced until it was read via a letter at the end of services Saturday and Sunday.
"During the last year there has been a spirit of dissonance among a vocal few regarding the vision for Lake's future,' said the letter, which was read Sunday morning by Executive Pastor Chuck Olson. The extent of the disagreement has "polarized and paralyzed the ministry council,' Kirk wrote in the letter.
Kirk has been at Lake Avenue since 1991. He said in his letter that his decision came after weeks of extensive prayer and sleepless nights during which God made it clear that his season at influential, evangelical Lake Avenue had come to a close.
"It is an understatement to say this is sad news,' Olson said after reading the letter. "Personally, I grieve deeply for this loss.'
After the service, church attendees said they were shocked, deeply saddened and confused by the announcement and letter.
"We are heartbroken,' said Harshal Vyas, 59, who has attended the church for about five years with his wife Sukirti. "We don't know the reason, but there are no words to explain it.'
Jane Harriman of Altadena said she's attended Lake Avenue for about a year. Kirk really teaches God's word, she said.
"I know people are going to be very sad and upset and hurt because he is such a good preacher,' Harriman said.
Pastors at the church declined to comment for this story. Kirk said a press release would be the extent of his comment on the resignation. The press release said he was committed to God's "big picture' plan that is "often 'unfathomable' from our limited perspective.'
Bill Podley, chair of the ministry council, said the resignation was a shock.
"I love Gordon. We love Gordon. The board loves Gordon,' Podley said. "This is a very sad day for us all. This is not what we wanted as a council. It's not what we had, in any way, hoped for.'
Podley said some long-standing members of the 109-year-old church felt they were not being involved in the future direction of the congregation. In the past because of the church's Congregational roots a broader cross-section of members was involved in decision making, strategy and direction, he said.
"As we've grown, it's been Gordon's belief, and the council's understanding as well, that you can't have as much input from as many people,' Podley said.
Podley said the ministry council is not polarized or paralyzed. There are various points of view regarding the congregation's involvement in implementing the church's vision, he said. The ministry council wanted to continue working together on areas of concern, he said.
As for the alleged personal character attacks, Kirk is a strong and passionate leader who believed in the direction he was taking the church, Podley said. There were times when discussions got emotional and people disagreed in ways that might have been construed as personal attacks, he said. But it seemed that no one intentionally wanted to attack him, Podley said.
The ministry council discussed a number of issues at a mid- June meeting, and then Kirk had a study leave planned for the first two weeks of July, Podley said. When Kirk came back, he said he wanted to have the meeting with the council. There, he resigned, he said.
Kirk takes his vacation every year in August, and will come back for a farewell weekend in September, Podley said.
Ministry council member Lori Johnson agreed with Podley's assessment of the situation. Kirk's resignation "was truly by his choice and that's why we were all shocked,' she said.
Everyone on the ministry council loves Kirk and tried to work with him in a spirit of unity, Johnson said.
"I think the words 'paralyzed and polarized' were pretty strong,' Johnson said. "I would not use those words to describe our council.'
Just some initial thoughts based on this article (and this article only). These might be observations true to the situation or not:
1. If a council cannot make a decision in a year on direction, I would think that 'paralyzed and polarized' might be words I would use.
2. "There were times when discussions got emotional and people disagreed in ways that might have been construed as personal attacks." Usually, when someone has to use the word 'construed' then there is usually some truth to it. "No one intentionally wanted to attack him". Key word there is "intentionally"
3. "Kirk's resignation "was truly by his choice and that's why we were all shocked." Does this sound to anyone else like another way to say "we're shocked he left before we fired him."?
4. "Everyone on the ministry council loves Kirk and tried to work with him in a spirit of unity." We love you, pastor... but you need to do what we ask. (I may be totally wrong here; but it's been my experience that boards/councils very seldom work with a 'spirit of unity'... hopefully this was the exception to the rule.
5. I'm suprised that everyone was so 'shocked'. Sometimes I think some church boards kind of get a kick out of fighting. Individuals get to express their own way; make their power plays, etc. And for some, I think they find it fun... almost amusing. But for the pastor, it's not fun and games... it's his life/ministry/livelihood. No one should be shocked when a pastor has problems dealing with a board he feels is ''paralyzed and polarized'. Most pastors either will get fed up and leave because of the conflict; or get fed up and leave because of the lack of decision making and the status-quo.
OK... I'm stepping down off my soapbox. It just doesn't seem like it should be that hard for churches, pastors, boards, councils, parishoners, and staff members to get along.
But somehow... it is.
Please add your two cents worth to the comments I've made here...
Todd
Why does this happen all the time in the church? Bickering, people taking sides, playing meanly, manipulating the facts, acting un-Christlike? It takes its toll on everyone; and it hurts people and churches everyday. Pastors take the brunt of much of the conflict (and sometimes pastors actually cause the conflict). But what really got me about this ‘version’ of the story (I really have no idea what the situation was or who was right) was that everyone appeared so shocked that the conflict had finally taken a toll. Give a quick read to this story from the Pasadena Star News and let me know what you think…
Comments
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MinisterAWMP on Wed, July 27, 2005
God called pastors to lead the church, not board members…
Art on Wed, July 27, 2005
“We love you, pastor… but you need to do what we ask.”
Been there, done that, have the knife protruding out of my back to prove it.
bws on Wed, July 27, 2005
“In the past because of the church’s Congregational roots a broader cross-section of members was involved in decision making, strategy and direction, he said.”
Sounds like the old gaurd of the church didnt like all the new people at least they didnt like them helping make decisons, as usual they felt like they were losing power so,,,flex your muscle show the pastor who is really in charge!!! I have been down this raod way to many times have seen a million more.. We loved the pastor but sure didnt ask him stay!!!!
bws on Wed, July 27, 2005
“Podley said some long-standing members of the 109-year-old church felt they were not being involved in the future direction of the congregation. In the past because of the church’s Congregational roots a broader cross-section of members was involved in decision making, strategy and direction, he said.”...........
Sounds like the old gaurd was losing their power base and they dont like it, they want to show everyone who is in charge and its not the pastor…. Hey we love him but we sure didnt ask him to stay…. now you must also realize that a lot of pastors cause self inflicted wounds. In this case I would not think that because he had been there for 15 yrs. but it happens. Ron Dunn has a great message for pastors when their people turn on them its called “Surviving Friendly Fire” I have been hit by it and seen a lot of good friends go down because of it.. one day there will be an accounting of the books
A pastor's wife on Wed, July 27, 2005
Amazing what happens when God the Father, Jesus Christ His Son, and the Holy Spirit are no longer the primary focus of our worship - and of our lives!!!
there right now on Wed, July 27, 2005
Stuck in the middle of that right now. Seems that we’ve spoken alot in the church about forgiveness, unity, and dying to self. The leadership is constantly pushed to do these things for those who attack them. (intentionally or not)
But I’ve yet to hear much about how we speak with one another: words like respect, dignity, truth in LOVE….
I’ve seen people whose behavior and words in any other setting would get them into a lawsuit…but in the church they maintain their “power” by bullying and continuing their verbal assaults while sprinkling it with scripture references.
I’ve been told by the lay leadership to die to self and continue to forgive those who continue to assault me while they are not held accountable.
Don’t think I need to do much dying to self when it’s already being killed off word by word.
He's truth on Thu, July 28, 2005
“God called pastors to lead the church, not board members…” Posted by: MinisterAWMP | July 27, 2005 09:55 AM
~~~~~~~~~~~~
God said, “Feed my sheep”. Preach the Word…leading doesn’t necessarily mean having one’s own way in administrative decisions..what kind of printer, copier, how the chairs should be set up, who gets to serve on what board, etc. If men of God would lift up Jesus and preach His word instead of seeking the power that goes with the position, maybe there would be less disharmony.
rick on Fri, July 29, 2005
Uhhhh…“he’s truth” (or whatever your name is)...being an elder/ pastor does carry with it the responsibility of leading/ruling the body. Not popular, but that is a responsibility of the office of elder/pastor.
From your post, one would think that a pastor is to preach and shut-up where leading/decision-making is concerned. This is very old school, very unbiblical and the invention of power-hungy, arrogant men who want to control God through controlling His leaders.
Don’t mistake this for an endorsement of the CEO/Senior Pastor view, though…which is equally out of step with the bible. A plurality of elders who qualify under 1 Timothy 3 should lead churches…not boards, businessmen or deacons who want much authority and no responsibility.
A new reformation in leadership is needed and it starts with taking 1 Timothy 3 and Titus as authoritative and God-breathed…check back in ten years and we can compare notes.
bernie dehler on Sat, July 30, 2005
“God called pastors to lead the church, not board members…” Posted by: MinisterAWMP
That may be true, but “how to lead” is a big topic. Boss-man or servant of servants?
Matt. 20:
25Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— 28just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
...Bernie
http://www.freegoodnews.com
Franklin Reeves on Mon, August 01, 2005
What is the pastor’s Biblical job?
What is the Biblical framework of a local body supposed to be?
Is the Pastor, called by God, always right and without error?
If it is true that the “dumb” sheep need a shepard/pastor to lead them, why do we think a “dumb” sheep is able to lead by himself. Remember the pastor is still a sheep.
Why does the Bible say wisdom comes by a multidue of counselors, but many pastors on this board are implying the “dumb” sheep should have no say?
Is this the correct interpretation?
Eph. 4:11-12 “He gave some ... to be pastors to build large churches and lead the “dumb” sheep”
I think the pastors job is to equip the saints for the work of ministry. Of course He also gave apostles, evangelist, and teachers to do the same.
I thought the Bible showed that elders, and deacons would also oversee the church.
You would almost think the God was setting it up so that many inputs would work against those “wrong” decisions and policies. If a pastor had complete authority in a church, well you would have to hope he was not really a wolf in disguise. I guess you would also have to hope he was completely sanctified or he could lead the people down a wrong path.
I guess it comes down to can a man called by God to lead His people, make errors?
I also remember a case where a man called by God, decided the John Mark was not worthy or trustworthy enough to go with him on a mission trip. Another man called by God disagreed with him. The argument became so bad they broke up thier ministry and went seperate ways.
Which one was right? The leader and apostle Paul or Barnabas?
In Col 4:10-11 Paul says that John Mark was a comfort to him and that the Collosians should recieve him. And that he is one of the few the Paul says “ these alone are my fellow workers unto the Kingdom of God”
It seems that somewhere between Paul arguing with Barnabas, and splitting thier ministry, he has changed his mind about John Mark. It appears he was wrong.
My final question is, are you building the church?
John MacArthur was asked if he always desuired to build a big chruch? He told the interviewer that he had not desire to build a church. He did not want to compete with Jesus. Since Jesus said He would build His church.
It’s amazing that a Pastor that did not focus on building a big church, has a big church. It almost appears one can just obey God, preach His word, equip the saints to reach the lost and the church will grow. I guess though if you do it that way you can;t take credit for it, and put it on your resume for the next church you want to pastor.
Franklin Reeves on Mon, August 01, 2005
I usually try and stay balanced with my expectations of church members and staff, but it looked like the Pastor’s side was well covered this time.
Frank Schwenden on Fri, August 12, 2005
I’m a member of Lake Ave Church, and although it is sad that Gordon Kirk is leaving, I think it had to happen for the church to continue growing. There was a lawsuit against the church operated school, which the church leadership (Kirk included) wanted to keep ‘under the radar’ (as the business manager said in an email accidentally sent to a friend of mine who emailed Dr. Kirk to voice her concern over the lawsuit). I don’t have the time to go into all the issues I have had with the leadership at Lake Ave Church, but let’s just say that transparency, and accountability are not their forte.
The most significant problem indicator was that many people were leaving the church. These were not the rabble-rousing status-quo-at-any-cost type of people. These were salt of the earth people who were dedicated to the church, but seeing that the leadership was not being honest nor accountable, left after many months of trying to correct the situation.
I honestly don’t know if any of these issues are related to why Dr. Kirk resigned, but I imagine they had some impact. Additionally, Dr. Kirk was trying to add another person to the ministry council (who happens to work for him) in an obvious attempt to gain more power over the direction of the church. That addition was voted down by the congregation, which I’m told was a hard pill for Dr. Kirk to swallow.
I’m sure that I don’t have the whole picture but even the small pieces that I have, tell me this was not the typical assault on a pastor by status-quo loving, power hungry congregants. Believe me, I’ve heard about and been through that scenario plenty.
I hope that the new pastor will be able to right the ship that is called Lake Ave Church, since I’m afraid that the leadership, absent Dr. Kirk, will continue down the road of keeping things hidden from the congregation, and avoiding accountability.
David S. on Sun, August 14, 2005
This is the second article and discussion I’ve read in this edition that deals with church conflict and ends with the pastor resigning. My Father-in-law has been in a position where he resigned over some internal conflict that would not respond to his biblical counsel.
My question is, and maybe Todd, you can create a post on this some time, where is the issue of church discipline? In many articles that I read about church conflict, the pastor is “up” against a few members who cause him problems and he eventually resigned and he walks away from the ministry, a discouraged and hurt man.
However, I never see the issue of church discipline coming up. If certain people in the church are causing a problem that’s causing the pastor grief, they should be disciplined. Yet, the pastor takes the heat and eventually burns out.
I’m not advocating that the pastor is always right. (1 Tim 5:19 says, “Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses.”) But, if the pastor is the problem, then discipline should be taken against him. However, that’s usually not the problem in many of the cases I’ve seen.
I’m just heartbroken to see that too many pastors are resigning their positions over conflicts than can be solved by applying some biblical discipline.
Please don’t think that I’m saying that all the problems can be solved this way. We’re not to be out to “crack a few heads,” but, when administering discipline, even against a board member can solve the problem, it seems that all to often, the pastor is the one who resigns and leaves the problem people in the church, unchecked, undisciplined and ready to strike again at the next “sacrificial lamb” that the church calls to the altar….
Doug Wilson on Tue, August 16, 2005
Gordon Kirk is a man of solid Christian character, theological insight, biblical commitment, and a superlative communicator. I studied under him at Biola University in the late 1970s and later spent five years as his Teaching Assistant there. He has been a great encourager and mentor to me in my ministry.
Kirk says he was disheartened by “‘personal character attacks’ and disrespect for his leadership.” Pastors, have you ever been there? Who hasn’t? And what was the council’s response? The council chair states that “discussions got emotional and people disagreed in ways that might have been construed as personal attacks….But it seemed that no one intentionally wanted to attack him.” Well, that’s a relief. Doesn’t it seem like those actions which “might have been construed as personal attacks” warranted a response from the ministry council? It sounds instead like they left their leader dangling in the wind. “It seemed that no one intentionally wanted to attack him,” the council chair says—apparently, as long as attacks are not “intentional” they are not a problem?
“Everyone on the ministry council loves Kirk and tried to work with him in a spirit of unity,” one council member said. Fine. But why is nothing stated about their response to the “unrelenting spirit of dissonance among a vocal few”?
The sermon following Kirk’s announcement of his resignation “asked the congregation to rally in support of the church. This is not the time to visit other churches…People should volunteer to serve the church and support its General Fund as their primary place of giving.”
My, my, my.
Back to business as usual?
Kirk’s resignation letter thanks the members for their “investment in healthy relationships.” I am grieved that the church’s leadership council does not seem to model this.
Gordon, I am so saddened to hear this. A faithful stewart such as yourself deserves better.
Jim Meyer on Wed, August 31, 2005
I took the first class that Gordon Kirk taught at Biola. He spoke at a youth retreat that turned around the life of a friend of mine who eventually pursued a ministry career. Having an affinity for him, I was deeply saddened to read of how and why he resigned Lake Avenue Church.
Having been a pastor for more than 30 years, I have some insight as to how these things happen.
A senior pastor in our day is expected to lead the church and make it grow, even if he lacks the gifts to do so. Gordon is a superb Bible teacher but may not be as gifted a leader, but he’s expected to lead anyway. The guy in the pulpit is perceived to be the leader by the average person in the pew.
The senior pastor has to set some course for the direction of the church or others will set that direction by default. As soon as the pastor sets a direction, some individuals will oppose it, and even in a large church setting, those individuals will find each other and form a power block that seeks to undermine the pastor’s vision because it is different than their own. If the pastor’s vision is adopted by the church, those people will often leave. If the power block thinks it can force the pastor out, it will try - but can’t provide the necessary leadership if they succeed.
The board or council often doesn’t find out about the power block until it has grown too large to handle. Most laypeople will not confront other laypeople. Usually if any confrontation is necessary, the pastor and the staff have to do it, and guess how that situation comes out?
As far as all the secrecy goes, if the church was being sued, attorneys probably told the church’s leaders not to discuss the case publicly. And when a situation is volatile, the more that’s said publicly, the more people want to know, which usually requires revealing the names of troublemakers, which the church’s leaders can’t do. I’m open about everything at our church except confidential matters involving individuals which might prove embarrassing to them - which means there are some situations I can’t discuss in public.
If Gordon Kirk resigned, it’s because the conflict at Lake Avenue began to affect his health and that of his family. Many pastors are willing to die for their flock but they aren’t willing to sacrifice their families. Since Gordon Kirk is a godly and gifted man, he knows that he will have his pick of churches if he decides to be a pastor again.
Gordon Kirk has too much class to go public about this whole sad affair. Unfortunately, some in the church seem to lack that same class. I wish both Lake Avenue and Gordon Kirk all God’s best in the days ahead.
Pastor Jim Meyer
Alameda, CA
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