Diotrephes Could Harm Your Church

Beware of Diotrephes

There are some characters in scripture with whom it is a privilege to likened.  To be called a Timothy, or a Mary or a Martha could be flattering.  What you would not want to be called, is a Diotrephes.  I first heard someone called a Diotrephes when I was a teenager bursting with enthusiasm and frustrated because my church at the time seemed generally lifeless (at least to a critical teenager).  I cannot be sure exactly who the person I was speaking with was referring, but I know the kind of person she was describing.

Diotrephes gets just one brief mention in the New Testament, in 3 John verses 9 and 10.  Since he gets this mention, and his character and conduct also get described in detail, I presume that the Holy Spirit wants us to know about him, understand him, and avoid becoming like him.

His name is interesting as it means ‘nurtured by Zeus’.  We can conclude that he was a gentile Christian.  Zeus, the god of thunder, was the king of the gods of Mount Olympus, ruling with a rod of iron.  I find myself wondering whether Diotrephes had admired, or even worshipped Zeus before becoming a Christian.  His own behaviour is rather Zeus like. It certainly seems to me that he might well have brought something from his pre-conversion culture into his Christian life.  He likes to be seen to be important, and loves that important status, while exercising his leadership role in an autocratic – even dictatorial – manner.

We note first that this is contrast to the character and behaviour of Jesus.  He is the king who is gentle and comes riding on a donkey.  This is the one who entered the world in a stable, and who sought no glory for himself.  This is the one who humbled himself, divesting himself of the majestic splendour that was his by right.  This is the Master who washes feet.

We also note that this was contrary to the teaching of both Jesus and the apostles.  Jesus was clear that among his disciples there was no room for anyone who might seek to lord it over another.  On one occasion he spoke about the seating at a feast and the folly of claiming superiority.  Paul emphasises humility in Philippians 2:1-4.  In Romans 12:3 Paul encourages the Christians not to think of themselves more highly than they ought. The very principle of fellowship (Greek: Koinonia) is based upon essential equality.

Diotrephes’ longing to have the pre-eminence is not his only weakness.  He has also made himself the gatekeeper for the church of which he is a part.  He controls who or what may gain admittance.  The apostle John finds himself excluded.  In this respect he is not prepared to have his authority challenged, so anyone who does not fall in line with his decisions, he expels from the church.  No room for dissent.  He is an extreme example of what we usually call a control freak.

To these two bad characteristics is added a third.  He spreads around malicious nonsense.  No doubt to reinforce his own position and opinions and defend himself from any criticism he employs slander and gossip. Here then is a man who has an inflated opinion of his own worth, is dictatorial, controlling, and instead of speaking words of love, tells lies to deliberately hurt the innocent.  No wonder that John feels that it is important to call attention to his misdemeanours and urges his readers not to imitate what is evil but what is good.

I was once taught that in any social group there will be one or some who will take the lead.  When I asked how these could be identified, I was told look for the ones who others listen to.  These comments were made to me regarding small rural churches where it is often claimed there are no leaders.  We are currently living in days when authority is regularly challenged, and assertiveness is often praised.  Trying to provide leadership in churches is not a science but an art.  Diotrephes stands in scripture as a stark example about how not to do it.  In character and conduct he is a contrast to the character and conduct of our wonderful Saviour, whose model we are called to follow.  Unfortunately, that might also lead to some kind of crucifixion.

It seems to me that the spirit of this age is rebellion against authority.  For those of us who are Christians, dissent should always be tempered with love, and those in leadership must not stifle the opinions of others.  In God’s economy, all are valued.  If we can get our relationships right, seeking to prefer one another, considering others better than ourselves, we will be a light in the darkness. Beware Diotrephes, for he can emerge from anywhere within our churches.

From the Diary

Give thanks to God for an excellent time at the Rural Likewise event in North Nibley, Gloucestershire last Tuesday.  Thirty people registered mostly from small rural churches.  I heard much that was encouraging and even exciting.

This Saturday, 24^th September I shall be taking part in the Congregational Federation’s Mission and Society Committee in Nottingham.  This is an important committee so please pray.

Much of my time is currently being spent preparing for various upcoming events.  On Thursday and Friday, 29^th and 30^th September I shall be taking part in the Enabling Group for Churches Together in England.  On the Thursday evening I have the privilege to talk about the Congregational Federation and chose to share this with my friend and colleague from the United Reformed Church as both traditions share a common history marked by courage and conviction and which has led to the blessing of many.  Please pray that what is said and how it is said may glorify Jesus and bless all.

On Saturday 1^st October (where has this year gone!) I will be leading an online seminar on the theme of the powerful influence of image.  Tragically, the failure of many churches to recognise the importance of image means that the message they long to share with others is drowned out by the many unspoken messages we give out daily.  There is still time to book your place for this event if you have not done so.  It is free.  It starts at 9.00 and runs for 45 minutes, with a lot to think about.  All that is needed is an internet connection with sound.  This is really an important topic so in addition to praying for it, please encourage others as well as registering yourself at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7965285920768011533

Sunday 2^nd October starts a very busy week which includes, among other activities, a trustees meeting for Sunrise Ministries, the charity title for Rural Mission Solutions.  In the midst of this busy period I am reminded of the words of Martin Luther who suggested that at times like this one should spend more time in prayer.

Thank you for your prayers on my behalf.  It means so much to me

.

Barry

Honour & Humility

It has been an interesting week in the UK as we begin to feel the impact of our recent referendum, and as the Bank of England and government begin to manage the changes while also managing the country.  Obviously the last few days before the start of the Olympics dominated the news until David Cameron’s resignation’s honours list was leaked.  For the benefit of non-UK readers, this is a list of people who are given special honours including knighthoods or being made peers of the realm.  It was a relatively long list and some have questioned the entitlement of all on the list.

This announcement seemed timely as last Sunday, at HMP Gartree, I had preached on a verse from scripture that speaks about acting justly, loving mercy and walking humbly with God (Micah 6:8).  Many years ago, when helping out the ministry at a church in Sussex, I preached on the topic of humility.  It felt as if it had been well received and had been a good service.  But as I said goodbye to the congregation afterwards, clearly people were bursting to say something but saying “Good sermon” seemed inappropriate to the topic!

There is, of course, a world of difference between being humbled and being humble.  I was amused by Hilary Clinton’s acceptance speech in which she said she was humbled by the decision of the American Democratic Party to appoint her as their candidate for President.  She didn’t look humbled – quite the contrary (and deservedly).  I think she was really feeling proud.  Being humbled is the consequence of another person’s acts or words that cause someone to feel less important than they had previously felt about themselves. It is usually meant kindly.

A story is told of a young man who had recently become a Christian and had been hearing about the need for humility.  Each week in the prayer meeting he would pray, “Lord make me nothing, make me nothing.” Eventually a more mature Christian man could stand it no more and interjected, Brother you are nothing; accept it by faith!”. Jesus told a story about a person who took a place of honour at a wedding feast which had to be yielded to someone more important (Luke 14:7-11).  Being humbled publicly is actually a humiliating experience.  He concluded his story by stating that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

At the time when Jesus walked this earth, humility was not a trait that characterised the culture.  It’s not that different today.  To be humble is counter-cultural in many situations.  Books abound on the subject of assertiveness.  Learning what it means to walk humbly with God is not easy.  Being humble does not mean making ourselves into a doormat for others to wipe their feet on.  Sadly, even among Christians I have seen and heard people being humiliated.  I have also met Christians (usually women) who have a poor self-image or feeling of self-worth.

Frankly, I am encouraged when people say that a sermon was helpful – or even good.  I have several good friends who have been awarded OBEs and have worked occasionally with a knight and a baroness.  While I am sure that I will never be nominated for any such honour, I suspect that I would not decline. One of the greatest joys in my life was to play a part in nominating a man who for years in retirement voluntarily kept our area of a village clear of rubbish and dogs mess, and the grass kept tidy.  He got an OBE. 

But the greatest honour must be to get the WDGFS (Well done good and faithful servant).  We do well to remember that Jesus gave honour and praise where it was deserved.  But we should seek the service rather than any reward.  We should also remember that the One who is our pattern humbled himself (Philippians 2:5-9) and we should embrace Paul’s exhortation: “in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Phil 2: 3,4)

I like what CS Lewis said on the subject.  “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking about yourself less.”

From the Diary

I set aside time this past week in order to attend to several tasks that had been neglected and to prepare for coming events.  It was a good idea but there is still a lot of time needed to catch up with various tasks.  Included in this is writing some thank you emails and letters.  If you should have received one from me, please be patient.

Last Saturday I attended a service of thanks for Brian and Clare Kennard as Brian “sits down” after being the Minister of Market Harborough Methodist Circuit for the past 9 years.  Brian and Clare were former associate evangelists of Mission for Christ when I was its General Secretary. It was a personal thrill when they moved to the town where we live.  Please pray as they explore avenues for future service.  Both have a heart for rural evangelism and I am keen to retain the link.

Last Sunday I took the morning service at the prison. Brian also serves as a sessional chaplain there.  On Tuesday at the prison I had three new choir members.  Incorporating new members into a small choir is never easy – especially if they have no experience of choral singing.  This Wednesday the choir is expecting to sing to some visitors on a special visit to the prison.

The ‘legal’ situation I have referred to in earlier letters continues to cause concern.  I am a co-trustee under a Will of a friend and former colleague in Mission for Christ, who died some 36 years ago.  In order to fulfil our responsibilities, we feel we have no alternative than to sell a property in which my friend’s daughter (now elderly) has been living.  While we are sure that this is in her best interests and is unavoidable, she does not want to cooperate and the matter has come to the County Court.  There is clearly tension between immediate pastoral concern and what is right in the long term. Please pray for wisdom and grace as we seek to manage this.

Sunday 7^th August we have our farewell service at Yelvertoft, and Doreen and I are looking forward to meeting up with friends there once again.

Monday 8^th to Friday 12^th August we hold Holiday at Home in Market Harborough.  This is a programme for older people which we put on to bless them in Jesus’ name.  Each day there are all kinds of activities, talks and entertainment.  A small team is drawn from local churches and I help to administer this event.  Please pray for our chairman, Keith and the team through this week. Pray for opportunities to share something of our personal faith.

Saturday 13^th August I will share as a team member in the group seeking to encourage and support some 30 churches in their mission programmes.

Please encourage people in your church to register for the online seminar with missional ideas for the autumn months.  Gordon Banks and I have a host of suggestions for activities that are manageable by small churches.  Some you may have heard before, but there may be some new ideas you can put into practise in your church this autumn.  It is free to attend the seminar.  All that is needed is an internet connection with sound.  You could use a PC, tablet or smart phone.  Please do not miss this opportunity.  It is on Saturday 27^th August (Bank Holiday weekend) and will run from 9.00 to 9.45am.  Registering in advance is essential to obtain the link you will need.  Go to https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/738463171413200899

Thank you for your prayers and for the practical support received over the past few weeks.

Barry

Fruitlessness

It is sad that among many Christians there is a desire to always appear successful.  We don't like admitting to failure.  A Minister attending a Ministers' Fraternal in a large town was perplexed as in turn each one present spoke of the wonderful things that were happening in their churches.  He became concerned that something about the meeting inhibited people talking about problems they were confronting.  As an older man himself he knew that church leadership and ministry often produces tears.  So when his turn cam he deliberately only spoke about a current difficult situation in his church.  He hoped that his contribution would release other Ministers to speak more honestly.  He waited expectantly for the next man.  His opening word were "I'm glad I haven't got any problems in my church like that!"  Not one other among the 20 to 30 Ministers there were prepared to admit to problems or weaknesses.  Why can't we be more honest?

My fruitlessness story this week is about my attempt to upgrade my laptop from Windows 7 to Windows 10.  I have an early version of Windows 8 on my Surface Tablet and knew that W10 would be a better experience.  I goit ready by transferring data files to an external hard drive to maximise space.  I checked that my computer and system passed the test for the upgrade and was delighted to see the update downloading and installing automatically late one evening.  But at the critical moment it failed to load.

The next day I ran some checks and repeated the download and installation successfully.  But once more it failed on startup.  A phone call to Microsoft resulted in a very nice lady in their technical department spending a couple of hours working on my laptop remotely but every time she loaded W10 it failed at startup.  She kindly booked me a session with a senior technician and this Saturday morning he rang and we made a confident start.  During the following five hours, during which time a second senior technician joined the exercise, the outcome was fruitless.

So I wasted about a day and a half with these fruitless attempts.  I wonder how the men felt who had tried so many things to get it to work.  After all they are experts and the problem is with my laptop and not their skills.

The problem was not with the men who had gone fishing.  They spent time and effort fruitlessly despite drawing on their knowledge and experience.  They were experts but after fruitless hours had to admit defeat.  Fortunately there was another expert on hand who understood the problem and had a workable solution.  I'm sure that you know the two occasions that are mentioned in the gospels, (Luke 5: 4-7;  John 21: 1-8)

How are you feeling about your service for the Master right now.  If it proving fruitful then give thanks to God.  On the other hand if you are going through a frustrating and difficult time, don't despair. Acknowledging our failure and listening to God's response may well change the situation.  His presence and his wisdom changed the situation for the fishermen.  However, trust in God is not the same as triumphalism, which is usually a bad thing.  Sometimes, it is part of God's plan that we live with our failure so that our faith and commitment are tested.  Many a wonderful servant of God has felt that they laboured for nothing.  Remember that success is getting up one more time thaan you fall down.

Fruitfulness in ministry of any kind is not down to our ability or goodness.  When things are not going right in our ministry then trying harder is not usually as effective as trusting more.
 

Current items for praise & prayer
Thank you for your prayers for the Sunday ministry at HMP Gartree and Yelvertoft.  There was quit blessing in both locations.  Thank you also for your prayers for Holiday at Home (10-14 August) in Market Harborough.  There was a good attendance each day and a real sense of the joy and blessing of God.  It was particularly encouraging to see how both the team and our guests worked together for the blessing of others.  We lose our leader, Rev Brian Kennard, next year but the team is in good heart and keen to keep going.  Brian and his wife are former associate evangelists from Mission fro Christ days.

Last Tuesday was my last day as Chair of the Churches Rural Group (a Coordinating Group of Churches Together in England).  While I shall continue to be part of this Group I was happy to pass responsibility on to fresh shoulders.

On Thursday I met with others responsible for Area Mission workers fro the East Midlands Area of the Congregational Federation.  After much prayer, consultation and reflection we have come up with a plan that has excited us as we seek to support some 30 churches in their mission.

This Sunday I share in a Joint Open Air Service in the village of Crick, Northants.
Monday 24 I share in a telephone conference responding to various requests for financial support for mission within the Congregational Federation.
Tuesday 25 there is more planning - this time with the Yelvertoft group from various churches as we plan the next two term's school assemblies.  From there I go to HMP Gartree for my regular activities.
On Wednesday 26 we hold our summer holiday Messy Church Event in Yelvertoft.  Please pray for a good attendance by children plus parents.   Please pray for the team of which I am a part.

I have been doing some important writing recently and there is more to be done.    I am also busy in several aspects of ministry so although there are no meetings for the rest of the week I expect to be very busy.

CHRISTIAN SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
I am looking for some additional members for the Webinar Team, especially people with reasonable confidence using a computer who would help monitoring questions raised by those who attend the webinars.  Email me to find out more.

Sunrise Ministries is looking for people who understand rural life, love the Lord and have ability in children's work.  At the moment we have sufficient funds to offer a part time post. This position involves work as an enabler with rural churches to help build appropriate programmes of mission and ministry to and with children.  Email me for more information about this post.

Thank you for your prayers and practical support.  Your fellowship means so much to us.

Yours sincerely in Christ,

Barry