09/07/2007 - 09/07/2007

Anger in Ministry

I read something this morning that comes from Henri Nouwen's book, "The Way of the Heart." He writes:

"Anger in particular seems close to a professional vice in the contemporary ministry. Pastors are angry at their leaders for not leading and at their followers for not following. They are angry at those who do not come to church for not coming, and angry at those who do come for coming without enthusiasm. They are angry at their families who make them feel guilty, and angry at themselves for not being who they want to be. This is not an open, blatant, roaring anger but an anger hidden behind the smooth word, the smiling face, the polite handshake. It is a frozen anger, an anger which settles into a biting resentment and slowly paralyzes a generous heart. If there is anything that makes the ministry look grim and dull it is this dark, insidious anger in the servants of Christ."

I hope never to be guilty of hiding such anger, harboring it against those I'm called to serve and love. But it strikes me that it could be a hole that one could easily fall into. I think I would call this hole the "Older Brother Hole," named after the less celebrated son in the parable of the Prodigal Son found in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15. The older brother thinks he does it all right and resents that the Father's grace works outside of prideful self-made righteousness. I think the "Older Brother Hole" is bigger than we think. It doesn't get the press of the "prodigal son hole," but it may in fact be as big if not a bigger problem to the spread of the gospel message.

Reading this quote is a helpful reminder to watch where I'm walking and avoid the holes.