For instance, Lanny was not a leader in the usual sense, either before or after his restoration process. He had no role of authority over the lives of others. And yet, I would suggest that he held a unique power in the lives of others, through his very powerlessness – yet the possibility to experience restoration in community. That was his best gift to the Body of Christ. It allowed those of us around him to embody God’s perspectives on embracing human dignity, avoiding judgmentalism, and exercising perseverance.
Which brings me from the theoretical and the past to the present and the practical. It’s no secret that I have written extensively – and as carefully as possible – on issues related to spiritual abuse and recovery. There is much going on right now that causes me concern. And lesson about restoration and power that I learned from Lanny are relevant to contemporary situations.
At this time – the end of winter 2009 – several leaders previously prominent in the North American Christian community are apparently seeking public “rehabilitation†from relatively recent indiscretions, immaturities, and failures. But it appears that the actual goal of themselves and their handlers is relocation into the same public role of authority, or its near equivalent. Might I suggest instead that the authentic goal should be restoration while remaining in a position of powerlessness? I’m not saying their past actions make them Disqualified For Life from leadership roles. However, real restoration in biblical accounts is seldom about ending up in the same place spiritually as before, as if nothing bad happened, but in a different place precisely because something bad did happen. I don’t think, from biblical evidences, we can expect that restoration of leaders always means the exact same positions are open to them – just as it doesn’t mean they must be forever blocked from them. So the bigger question is about spiritual health, not ministerial activity.
So, here are some things I’m looking for and questions to ask as signs of genuine restoration, versus a counterfeit relocation under the garb as reinstatement to leadership:
this jumps out:
Perhaps an individual’s temporary lack of position reveals a long-term lust for power. Such a “fatal flaw†is at the core of those who seek to be overlords. And that’s a strong biblical indicator of current disqualification from service, is it not? And perhaps a permanent disqualification.
via: achievable ends
