(EMI) --

Encounters Ministries mission statement is:

To seek out the scattered, restore the shattered, connect the unconnected to Christ, teaching and nurturing them to grow into their giftings and freely flow in their anointings.

"It's OK to not be OK" covers the first part of that statement – "To seek out the scattered, restore the shattered, and connecting the unconnected." However, it's difficult at times in our crusades and outreaches to break through certain stereotypes.

Whenever it started, a self-righteous and arrogant posture unfortunately wove its way into the fabric of numerous Christian ministries nationwide decades ago. The result; instead of communicating the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ (real communication is NOT what we say or intend to say, but what other people see), what people "heard, saw and experienced" was quite the opposite. Unless they measured up to the standards of that particular church, ministry, or denomination ("do this, don't do that"), they were, in fact, "marked".

CASE IN POINT: Several years ago an associate pastor was asked for his resignation ON THE SPOT when the pastor confronted him about smoking. When the young associate told the truth about his battle (he didn't lie), BOOM! Despite the fact of his enthusiastic and passionate service to the church body (he had tripled the size of the youth group in under two years and helped the church triple in size), he was let go without being given an opportunity to quit smoking. He was never offered any restorative plan whatsoever.

When another pastor heard of this harsh treatment, he called the senior pastor and pled with him to give the young man a second chance. His response? The pastor said, "Well, you know, this is a small community and it wouldn't be healthy if people found out."

Yes, I agree that leaders are called to a higher standard, but this was an issue that could have been gloriously turned around had the pastor the heart of a true shepherd! Instead, he was more concerned about protecting his reputation than restoring a young and broken sheep/leader who would have eagerly submitted to leadership and undergo whatever suggestions the pastor and board would have recommended. He was repentive and sorrowful for his issue.

Why weren't overweight or self-righteous leaders on staff asked to leave? After all, the Bible has much more to say about about obesity and pride. The point is, when will we as Christians stop fretting about the small stuff.

We spend so much time fretting about the small stuff that we never get the BIG STUFF done!

The grim reality is that it will always be the case that “little people” make “big issues” of “non-issues.”

Each soul, though, brings his or her own personality and conglomerate of problems into the family of God.

Some people are honest, pliable, and easy to gradually mold into mature Christians. Others bring a truckload of issues with them. Some are perpetually childish, supersensitive, grumpy, and/or constantly on the prowl for a fight. The contentious, like the poor, will be with us always (Mark 14:7). The key issue is: when and how do we deal with them?

There is no simple, universal solution. Frequently the chronic complainers simply must be ignored—unless they are disruptive to the church as a whole. Usually this sort of person eventually establishes himself as an individual of non-influence. He drowns in his own sourness.

Others may exert considerable unsettling influence, and need to be addressed in a more forceful fashion—perhaps even to the point of suspending fellowship. Those who are perpetually factious and disruptive must not be allowed to damage the peaceful environment of the local family (Romans 16:17; Titus 3:10). The scripture is crystal clear about these kind of people who have their deep issues of rebellion.

Our topic, however is not regarding these personality types. I'm talking about embracing people with habits, bondage's, and hurts who have hearts for God. Anybody who possesses the true Spirit of Jesus will ultimately conform to His ways and His will...though it may take them weeks, months, or possibly years.

People who have come out of "real junk" need extra grace, while fourth generation Christians have been reared in righteousness.

We cannot put everyone into the same barrel!!

GET STONES...

Several years ago I stopped going to my Bible Schools annual alumni gatherings simply because the fellowship times had turned into a gossip mill. It evolved into a "Who's Who" in the ministry and I hated it!

The last year I attended, I lined my pockets with small stones in an attempt to try and be a peacemaker in the midst of the all the name dropping and gossip, etc.

So, without delay, the opportunity presented itself. As my long-time ministry associate started down the path of displaying a friend of mine's dirty laundry, I reached in my pocket and pulled out a few stones. I interrupted him and placed the stoned in his hands as I said, "He who is without sin..." That's all I had to say and the conversation abruptly halted.

My plan to be a peacemaker, however, backfired and I was quickly marked. In other words, because I didn't go along with the crowd and threw a wrench into the works (which made my friends very uneasy and embarrassed), their pride would not allow them to fellowship with me from that point forward.

Get some stones!

There is hardly a day that goes by when you will find me without some stones in my pocket. Why? Because I am beyond committed to doing my part to putting a stop to gossiping within my circles of influence and doing my best to stand up for all members of the body - those who are okay and those who are NOT okay!

Very recently a man who was a very committed leader in my rather large youth group back in the day, wrote me these words, "Greg, due to accountability, I wanted you to know that I just came out of a 20 year relationship with another man. However, since I have come back to Him, God is making my "crooked paths straight"!!

Please allow me to repeat myself, "Anybody who possesses the true Spirit of Jesus will ultimately conform to His ways and His will...though it may take them weeks, months, or possibly years."

Oh the mercy and grace of our God!

To try and wrap this up, the process of renewing the mind is just that...a process. It takes time for the brain, body, and soul to finally conform to God's Word and will. One of the attributes of a true shepherd is patience and longsuffering. "Lord, forgive us for our self-inflicted lust for protecting our own reputations!"

God's got your back, Mr. Leader, and whenever you go to bat for the broken, He will reward you openly.

Let this message become yours: "It's OK to not be OK!"