This is the hard bit!
Before you can treat the problems of parasites you first need to discern
who they are. It is not easy to look
over the local expression of the body of Christ, and discover that among the
people you have fed, and nurtured, guided and helped, there could possibly be
anyone who is actually actively destroying the work you believe God has called
you to. This kind of discernment can
only be done through the Holy Spirit, prayer, guidance, love and wisdom. It is also best done as a group of leaders or
elders. Because those who are parasites
have adopted a chameleon like lifestyle, but the tell-tale signs will be
there. The person will not be growing
spiritually i.e. you cannot see any signs that they are being or transformed by
the renewal of their minds, Romans 12:2.
Their attitudes, words and actions have not changed since the time they
first came to join you. They tend to
home in on the compassionate and loving people in the church and will have
continual crises or problems, which they expect people in the church to help
them with. Many of the problems are of
their own making, and they usually won’t take responsibility for bad decisions,
are not embarrassed by the fact that they continually ask for help. They are very good at manipulating situations
in their favor, easily cry or have a tale of woe, probably true, or based on
the truth, but will present themselves as the victim in an unjust situation,
and are unable (more likely unwilling) to correct the problem themselves, hence
people rally around them to help them cope and solve the problem.
Unfortunately they bear a striking resemblance to the simple
minded, child-like Christian, who is unable to grasp the greater truths of
Christianity, and also faces many problems where they are the victim, and are
being taken advantage of, because of some mental or physical disability. In the church they find people who genuinely
love them and care for them, and continue to come back to the church, where they
feel warm, safe, supported and accepted.
The only difference you can find is that the true parasite
will drain everyone dry and when they realize that their veneer of spirituality
has been rumbled, they will move on to fresh pastures. Those with simple hearted and child-like
faith, will continue to come, but they need special care and if possible
mentors or a group of folk who will be able to be advocates for them, and help
them to grow the skills to cope and overcome the problems they will face.
The true parasite often is unable to hold down a job, they
are the ones on welfare, who feel it’s their right, and are easily angered
should someone suggest that they use the time God has given them to “work” even
voluntary work. They are rarely offering
to help serve in the church, and find 101 excuses as to why. The simple minded folk are happy to help if
you ask them to do something in the church.
Preferably in a group, and not on their own, because they will be happy to
join and be with others.
The parasites also have special needs, and may require
special teaching, which challenges their world view of “I am poor and needy,
and you HAVE to help me, because the Bible says, Love one another”. They need to be challenged about their
attitudes, their walk with the Lord, (which will frequently turn out as
non-existent, because they are mimicking the Christian life, not living it)
their gifts which they can offer to use in the service of the church, and give
them tasks to perform. If they are
parasites they will run and you probably won’t see them again, and the church
will be able to function again without the same people draining the pastor,
leaders, elders, pastoral care team, and diverting their attention away from
those who have true spiritual needs.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, help us to get rid of all that hinders the spiritual growth of the church
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