Have you ever had to have an uncomfortable ‘discussion’ with an employee…or even your employer?  Or what about this, with a volunteer?  Think about it.  There aren’t many things more humiliating than getting fired from volunteering!

“Yes, we know that you donate your time and energy toward this organization free of charge…..but we’re  asking you to stop!”

I was faced with one of these situations at age 30 in my first FT ministry position. Here I was, a young Children’s Pastor, calling into my office a 65 yr old lady who had been volunteering with elementary kids in this church for over a decade. She claimed that she loved children…..but really, she came across as their warden! I had to point out the differences in our philosophies of ministry and ask her to step out completely. AWKWARD!!!
She was saddened, but generally handled it well. The next day I ran into her husband in the office wing. (I didn’t think this was going to go well) He approached me and said, “Pastor Brent, I understand you talked with my wife yesterday. I gotta hand it to you…..I’ve thought for years that that woman shouldn’t be working with kids! Finally someone had the guts to speak truth to her.”  I’m not making this stuff up.

Please hear me loud and clear on this.  Having this discussion was not easy for me.  In fact, if I’m completely honest, I put it of way too long.  In this instance my hand really was forced.  I was either going to have this talk….or I would end up with a parent lawsuit against the church.  (I’m not kidding)

These talks don’t always end this well…but God does work through our willingness to do what’s needed over what’s comfortable.

Churches that allow anybody to do practically anything they want in the church…..are symptomatic of a Sick Church.

So, what’s your story?  Have you been on either end of this type of talk before?  How did it go, and was it beneficial in the end?