In light of the recent events regarding Ergun Caner, Wade Burleson of Grace & Truth to You has written a fine article on questioning our leaders, the importance of answerability and Christian unity. Asking questions of those in leadership, when appropriate, is not only morally right, but the very essence of Christian integrity. – JT
by Wade Burleson
“Nearly four years ago I wrote a post entitled The Cult of Personality in the SBC where I questioned how a large Southern Baptist Church in Florida could call a man who had repeatedly lied about his past to be their pastor. Steven Flockhart, pastor of FBC West Palm Beach, resigned his post after a secular newspaper revealed the lies he had told the pastor search committee. The resume of "Dr." Flockhart claimed he had several theological degrees, but the newspaper revealed he had fabricated all his educational credentials. Interestingly, in the very last line of Steven Flockhart’s resume, there was this statement:
"(I) have been accepted at Liberty University to obtain a second doctorate."
When I initially read about his fabricated resume, I wondered if Pastor Flockhart was also lying about his enrollment at Liberty University. It seems The Palm Beach Post may have had similar questions. A reporter called to question Liberty’s registrar’s office about Flockhart’s enrollment for a "second" doctorate. In an article published on August 26, 2006 The Palm Beach Post reported that the registrar’s office initially said that they had never heard of Mr. Flockhart, but then they called the newspaper back later and said they had discovered that Flockhart was enrolled and had paid the registration fees directly to seminary President Ergun Caner. The paper then quoted a Liberty official:
"The pastor (Flockhart) is enrolled and has paid in advance," said Ron Godwin, executive vice president and CEO of Liberty University. He added, "I love those kind of students."
Granted, the Palm Beach Post could have misreported the initial response of Liberty, as well as the words of Ron Godwin, but the newspaper’s published report caused many of us to ask several questions about what seemed to be a peculiar financial arrangement. While several of the financial questions were ultimately answered by Dr. Caner himself, there were two main questions that went unanswered at the time:
(1). Was Steven Flockhart enrolled in an actual doctorate program at Liberty University?
(2). If so, what safeguards were in place to prevent Liberty from accepting a doctoral student who had fabricated degrees?
Though questions to our Christian leaders may bring some discomfort, asking them is not a bad thing. It is not attacking someone’s character. It is not assuming someone is evil or wicked. It is a legitimate process through which we Christians can hold each other accountable.”
Read the rest of Wade’s post here.
Yes, afterall, if there is nothing to hide, how could there be a problem asking a question???
People who get their feathers in a muss when questioned are either arrogant, guilty, or a combination of both? Si or no?
When questioned by Thomas, Our Lord very gently and with great kindness and respect, answered Thomas’ doubts.
The ‘Christian’ (Christ-following ?) leaders who respond to questions with arrogance are NOT hiding the most important thing about themselves: they consider themselves to be ‘above’ Christ’s example. They see themselves as ‘too important’ to have to answer questions. How dare people question THEM ?
No. They cannot hide that they do not follow the ways of Our Lord, when He was here among us.
They worship another master who revels in the sins of pride and arrogance.
Sometimes we learn much from the ‘way’ people behave towards those ‘beneath them’.
They need to take a page from the Scriptures and practice ‘foot washing’ to learn that, if they wish to lead others in the Kingdom, they must become the most humble of servants. This was Our Lord’s way. To Whom shall we go to know of this, if not to Him?
Here’s what I’ve experienced: men who think highly of themselves tend to deflect questions about their “service”. Men who exalt Christ and think no more of themselves than they ought welcome such questions and seek to answer them honestly.
So good for the soul to leave church A and join church B.