Should a Christian Ever Say Anything Bad About a Church?

This week there was an article about an abusive church in my city. All of those who spoke about it were people who left long before the pastor got to the level of bullying that he is at now.

I know many first-hand accounts of those who left recently under incredible circumstances, and they were (likely) afraid to say anything about it. They have been carefully trained to believe:

"Divisiveness in a church is a cardinal sin."

"Saying anything bad about a church leader is grumbling and gossip."

"Only bad people rebel."

That is what we're all taught.

And so, good people stay in churches and ministries where they are routinely abused, say nothing, and allow wolves to keep eating sheep.

This is B.S.

If Christians aren't going to call out the Church, who should do it?

Grumbling, gossip, and slander are bad.

But telling the truth about a church and a church leadership that is misrepresenting Jesus and all the rest of us is not only good, but crucially important. The world is watching.

How does it look when the courts discover what the church has known for decades? Not good.

Church leaders (like myself) need to know that we will be held accountable for every decision made and word uttered. That's just how it is.

If you don't want to be judged, stay out of ministry.

"Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." — James 3:1

"Ah, shepherds of Israel who have been feeding yourselves! Should not shepherds feed the sheep?...Behold, I am against the shepherds, and I will require my sheep at their hand." — Ezekiel 34:2,10

"But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck..." — Matthew 18:6

I could go on, because the Bible does.

The fact is, I've made many mistakes myself for which I still have to repent when I find out how I once hurt someone with a stupid decision or a word that sprang from my immaturity and errors in my theology.

I need to hear it when someone has a grievance against me.

I hope that if you are on the fence about calling out an unworthy shepherd, you won't be afraid to speak out.

There is no authority on earth who can hold church leadership accountable other than the sheep. Sure, denominational leaders can help, but more often they are not on the side of the sheep.

If church leaders won't give power to their members to keep them accountable, they intend to abuse them.

If church bylaws only protect the leadership, they intend to abuse.

Oh, by the way, I started that abusive church and then laid hands on the guy who would cause so much harm. I know I am answering and will continue to answer for that.