Leaders can be arrogant. They really can be. Even Christian leaders can be arrogant. I’ve heard countless stories of arrogant pastors: control freaks, power hungry, spotlight-driven. You probably can think of some famous ones who fit that mold. However, I’m not talking about them. I’m talking about me and you.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve seen a significant number of posts on social media by Christian leaders blasting other Christian leaders. Some of it isn’t pretty. Some is justfied; some is not.
I’d like to propose something to give up for Lent: give up the bashing. Many of the people we bash are easy targets. We bash a particular leader for being arrogant or self-aggrandizing, but doesn’t that (in itself) reveal an “I know better” attitude, which is, frankly, arrogant? Please don’t misunderstand me. I’m not agreeing with these individuals. I’m not totally on-board with their theories or philosophies of ministry. I have my reservations about their theology and more about polished looks. But whatever happened to charity? Whatever happen to grace?
I’m guilty of bashing. I do it…all…the…time. I’ve made it practice to run to Twitter and retweet someone’s post on particular pastors in the South. I’ve not held back on making comments about their smiles or slick hair. However, it could be that the reason I do these things is because I am arrogant (and maybe jealous).
If Lent is a time in which we give up certain practices to create space for God, let’s put aside our arrogance and make a pact to stop bashing others on social media.
I’m not against being “prophetic.” But too often we look petty; we look snobbish when we bash other Christians on social media.
I’m encouraging you to return to charity for Lent. The world doesn’t know followers of Jesus by our bashing, but our love. Let’s be known for our love, not our arrogance. Lent is the perfect time to do this! Let’s remember our own mortality–one day, we too will be dust just like the people we bash will turn to dust. In that sense, we really aren’t all that different, are we? Let’s wipe away the cynicism, jealousy, and arrogance filled mud that we sling others, and make space for the God of love, charity, redemption, and forgiveness. The One who will as Lent goes on humble himself to the point of death on a cross.
When I think of Lent, I’m drawn to think of darkness. Our heart of hearts is a dark place that needs redeeming. And I think if we we are truly honest, we need Lent to ask God to rescue us from the darkness that we often find when we take shots at other Christians. So, this Lent, return to charity with me. Lent isn’t a time where we look at the arrogance of others and wag our finders at it. It’s a time where we see the fingers wagging at our arrogant hearts and all we have left to do is to stretch out our hands for someone to redeem us. A return to charity is a return to Christ. A return to Christ is the end of arrogant Christian leaders like you…like me.