Running a church ain’t pretty sometimes; it can be downright messy

Photo: Gerald Farinas.

Running a church often brings us face to face with difficult realities.

There are moments when the decisions we must make will inevitably leave someone feeling disappointed, slighted, or even victimized.

We may labor over these choices with prayer, conversation, and deep weighing of circumstances, yet the outcome may still appear unmerciful to those directly affected.

That is one of the great burdens of leadership in the body of Christ.

Sometimes mercy must be held alongside justice, and compassion must be balanced with responsibility for the greater good of the whole congregation.

In these moments, I find myself holding a greater appreciation for pastors, heads of staff, ruling elders, and those who serve in congregational councils in other traditions.

They carry the weight of shepherding God’s people, while also protecting the mission and health of the church as a whole.

Their work is not only spiritual, but also deeply human and often painful.

I also feel sorrow for those who are hurt by these decisions.

They may not see the hours of reflection, the scripture studied, the prayers whispered, or the sleepless nights that come before a choice is made.

They may only feel the sting of the outcome and believe that we have not been pastoral.

But even in that sorrow, we trust that God’s grace covers both the leaders and the people, and that the church, with all its imperfections, is still guided by the Spirit toward faithfulness.