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This past week, you may have heard about Matt Chandler taking a leave of absence from his position as lead Pastor of the Village Church in Flower Mound, Texas.
I’d like to start this post by saying that, despite all of the speculation out there, the circumstances of the situation are known to the elders of the church, and they have chosen a course of corrective action. Why the rest of the world feels their thoughts and feelings should have any bearing on a matter with which they’re hardly familiar and – not at all involved – is beyond me.
For those not aware, I’ll allow Mr. Chandler to speak for himself:
Now, it really isn’t my intention to spend much time commenting on this issue. As I said, the elders have looked into this and taken action. For the rest of us, it should stand as sufficient that this man followed the prescribed biblical protocols and submitted to the authority of his elders as is appropriate. Sitting around speculating on the matter further simply constitutes gossip or Lashon Harah ~ Evil Tongue.
Stop it.
Furthermore, to those among the body who are celebratory – what the hell is wrong with you? You disagree with a man on one or two issues and, therefore you celebrate the public humiliation of a brother in faith? I suspect you scarcely comprehend what’s really transpiring here or the judgement you are effectively proclaiming over yourself.
For the rest of us, I think we’re only beginning to see the movement off the hand of God in matters of judgement. Matters that I, and many others have prayed to be judged and for those those judgments to manifest – may, even now, about to be laid bare and brought to heel.
In case you’re wondering how one could look at the situation of Matt Chandler and see it as a sign that God is preparing to move in a greater way, I give you the scriptural basis for just such an assessment:
For it is time for judgment to begin, starting with the house of God. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who are disobedient to the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:17
While I know that true justice and recompense will not come until the time of the return, I also know that God is still sovereign over all and that He can – and will – answer the prayers of His own. There are judgments coming upon this world – and they are right, and just and fair.
In the meantime, I pray for Matt and his family. I pray that the Lord will strengthen them and bring them through this time in greater love and unity than they have previously known.
Until next time,
שלום עליכם – Shalom Aleichem – Peace Be Upon You