Today there will be a congregational meeting – a first since the Shepherd and I have been here. The staff is nervous. I do not have a read on the elders.
My theory is that it will likely get ugly. I think when you allow people a voice for the first time in a long while, you will hear anger. In our culture, people feel there is a right to be heard. People are likely to lash out at having lost that right. Couple it then with the elders not speaking and people become angry at not being informed either.
In the past year major staffing changes have occurred – role changes of staff, two of six elders resigned, and a large exodus of the congregation. I would look at what is going on and not feel confident in the leadership of the elders. I feel better because I know what the Shepherd is trying to achieve and how. I am not sure the elder speaking today will be able to articulate what I know. Perhaps more relevant is a lack of confidence that the elders understand what the Shepherd is trying to achieve and how.
Perhaps the worse response would be total acceptance. If there is silent acceptance and no questioning of what has gone on in the past few years, it would be bad. It would signify indifference and no ownership of what the church is going. I think silence would be more like a battered woman not speaking when first given a chance – afraid there is no voice without punishment.
On a personal note, I hope attacks do not go to my Shepherd. I hope the sheep recognize he is leading them to the Good Shepherd and is faithful in that journey. I am not confident of that either.