Smear campaigns happen in churches quite often today. If you have been on the receiving end in a church, whether a leader or not, you know the frustration, heartbreak, and weariness in dealing with the instigators, their lies and your dear friends under their influence.
This wickedness works so well and so often to discourage and destroy churches, to bring disunity and establish distrust, and to turn people from the vision of enjoyable worship and engagement in mission.
Have you ever been a witness to such a work of the devil and people’s fleshliness in a church? What can you do?
Little Lies Work Best
Classic accusations against leaders and teachers are that they are out for the money, power, fame, and sex. They are accused of being deceitful, using flattery, teaching heresy and abusing resources. Such severe accusations don’t often work well in a more refined society, however, especially when such unproven accusations can invite legal action.
So, enter the intangible, subtle and potentially even more damaging accusations. People have developed more sophisticated and spiritually sounding allegations; and have discovered that elusive grievances work even better than the classic approach of big lies. Little lies work best.
A sampling: This is not a loving church. People are unfriendly. The pastor isn’t really a good shepherd. They do not understand other perspectives. I am not being fed. I was not touched in worship. They do not lead biblically. The leaders do not spend wisely. Ministries are not meeting the most important needs.
Six People Easily Used
Who listens to this stuff?! Sadly, a lot of people. And if caught up in it, they will join in the smear campaign. Here are some types of people to watch out for in a church as easily used by the evil one in his sinister plans against all of Christ’s churches.
- Beware of those who complain, and after being heard are rarely able to come to a peaceful resolution.
- Beware of those who talk a lot about ministries and take positions, but are largely uninvolved.
- Beware of those who discuss other people’s motives thoughtlessly and carelessly, even openly.
- Beware of those who purposefully avoid developing close relationships with others in the church.
- Beware of those who aren’t learning, and yet present themselves as knowledgeable and spiritual, and ever-ready to teach.
- Beware of those who are spiritually discontent and generally unhappy in God.
Answer Directly and with Our Lives
Speak directly to those promoting a smear campaign. Speak with truth, love, and in the power of Holy Spirit. Be ready to suffer for glory of God, and yet maintain hope that He will grant them repentance and true faith.
Speak directly to those being affected by it. Encourage people not to listen to unsubstantiated negative comments, but rather to re-listen and re-observe the lives of the rest of the congregation, especially those of their leaders and teachers, in order to find out the truth.
The power of God is stronger in the end, and on the whole. One significant way in which He manifests this power is in the character and behavior of His faithful servants. Point this out: counter with genuine Gospel living as the apologetic!
The Apostle Paul used this strategy in dealing with the smear campaign in Thessalonica against himself and his mission team. So he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 2:3-12.
“For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness. Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. For you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.”
This remains the most effective response to smear campaigns gone “spiritual.” Let us keep ourselves open to review before people, and even appeal to our merciful God. And by God’s grace we can turn people around and get the church back on track with the vision of glorious worship and Gospel mission!
Without a real job and any savings to show, God told me to go ahead and give away $100. That was most of my paycheck back then. Plus I had never given away that much money before.
The Opportunity
My friend had just received news of his acceptance on a mission project. He was so thrilled for this special opportunity. I was excited for him, and for the Gospel being told to more people who would come into the Kingdom of God.
How could I share in his opportunity? How could I express my own happiness? After praying and thinking about it God put a strong impression upon my soul about what to do. I made a special trip to the bank to acquire a new crisp $100 bill.
Little did I realize at the time, being so new in my faith, that I was following the Apostle Paul’s instruction and example in Acts 20:35 ESV “. . . remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’””
The Handover
When should I make the presentation? Anticipation was building up. My plan was starting to show on my face. So when he came down the stairs for dinner at our dorm house I just decided to give it to him.
My friend was shocked. He didn’t expect such a gift from me, nor at that time, nor in that manner. He was visibly blessed. And even more of a surprise to me, so was I.
God exceeded my expectations. That was the day I learned that giving to the work of the Lord is like taking a reckless joyride. And this event from early in my Christian life still brings me joy, now 26 years later.
The Grace of Giving is Like That
Pray about it and pay attention to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Participating in this way in the Mission of God is one of the highest privileges we enjoy.
There is a story in 2 Corinthians 8-9 about this. Here is an excerpt:
2 Corinthians 8:1–5 ESV “We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints— and this, not as we expected, but they gave themselves first to the Lord and then by the will of God to us.”
2 Corinthians 9:7–8,10–11 ESV “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. . . . He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God.”
For me the joyride began with giving away my first $100. How does your story begin?
Why do Christians delight in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ?
Have you ever thought that this might appear bizarre to people? To some it might appear sadistic, grotesque, even eerie--surely something to be avoided. To others it might seem self-serving and selfish--having someone else suffer death for your own salvation. To yet others it might be considered an odd religion, not very uplifting, and one with a harsh God--requiring death for our sins.
It is the Story We Tell
Why did Jesus have to die such a horrible and shameful death? Couldn’t he just have died a normal death--perhaps in his old age, or from natural causes? Why is it important that His death occur the way it did with such violence and disgrace?
It is because God would show His righteousness most openly and gloriously in this manner. It shows the magnitude or our sin and the excellence of God’s holy wrath against it. It forever serves to remind us of the heinous nature of our sin, its shame, and the need for justice against it; and so, our true and desperate need of salvation to come from God.
Justice would be done; and the unjust would be justified by the work of the Just One (Romans 3:21-26).
We are That Bad, Really
Many people wonder, “Are we really that bad?” Yes, we are. All of us are sinful at the core of our being, rebellious against heaven. We do not give God the glory He deserves. Ask them, “do you worship Him perfectly?” We do not live in an acceptable righteousness. Ask them, “do you reflect His holiness perfectly?”
We are supposed to be repulsed and offended by the sufferings and the cross of Christ. It is impossible to look at this treatment of Jesus (knowing who He is and what He is about, even hoping in Him for salvation) and then think that one’s own goodness is good enough to get to heaven. Such would be serious self-delusion and self-righteousness, and showing oneself even worse than those who rejected God and crucified His Christ.
Our nauseated response to the unjust treatment of Jesus should become our disposition about our own sin. Then, we can find true knowledge and true salvation from Him who would suffer at the hands of men, and yet take our place as the guilty ones before God.
He is That Good, Really
Each Gospel author has his own emphasis when telling the Crucifixion story. Luke shows Jesus’ innocence and righteousness throughout the whole ordeal. He ends his Gospel the way he began it, telling us about Jesus’ sinlessness.
- The Innocent One On Trial (22:66-23:12)
- The Innocent One Condemned (23:13-25)
- The Innocent One Crucified (23:26-49)
- The Innocent One Vindicated (23:50-24:12)
Luke would have us cherish our Lord Jesus as the Innocent One. All who will read his book are offered forgiveness of sins by putting their trust in Him as their Savior.
When we tell the Gospel story, let us boldly open up to people the full purposes of Jesus’ suffering and dying the way He did. In doing so, we will make the path to salvation much clearer for them.
I have heard many painful stories from dear national partners these past few years about unhealthy cross-cultural mission partnerships. They want to work with the friendly and confident foreign missionaries, but so often over time it has led to loss of effectiveness and severe disappointment.
One national partner friend of mine recently described her and her colleagues situation as being “gospel slaves” for the foreign missionaries. This means doing the ministry work for the full time missionaries according to their vision, strategies and methods without input, recognition, respect or rest.
A Blueprint for Serfdom
- Focus on rapid growth at the expense of health and depth in Scripture and doctrine.
- Give gifts and manipulate the local culture to serve your measurable goals.
- Export your own organizational culture and call it “Christian,” even add Bible verses.
- Work the people hard and praise them without remuneration for services rendered.
- Shame them into doing even more to earn God’s and your favor.
- Avoid becoming close friends and sharing your lives intimately; this is too dangerous.
- Never stop to listen very long to their vision, passions and struggles; just nod.
- Don’t allow them to organize on their own, but keep yourself at the center.
- Repress the joy you might feel at their success so you can get even more out of them.
Redeeming the Tragedy
If we run our programs with our heads down in the host culture we will continue to make such sad unnecessary mistakes and many others. And it can happen to any one of us. Our poor missiological practices must be challenged and corrected, for the sake of everyone and the sake of the Gospel of Christ Jesus.
When we are newly entering into these difficult situations it will take extra effort to be trusted. We must seek to help all involved, because even those who make such grave mistakes are often sincere Christians seeking to serve the Lord with all their might.
In order to reverse such situations certain mission agencies need to make changes to their training for field strategies and methods. It might require some of us to have the courage to change our personal approach, and maybe even for whom we work. There are times when we need to reconsider how to re-engage and regain trust.
At minimum, our goal should include the basic desire of empowering our national partners for greater ministry. And most likely this will offer significant involvement for everyone from every background. And then together we will accomplish more than anyone of us could do by ourselves, to the glory and praise of God our Father!
Rediscover More Pleasant Sentiments
Philippians 1:3–7 ESV “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you in my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel.”
