SEEKER BEWARE

Last week, Shyaka wrote an editorial (“Police should do more about outrage of rapist pastor”) that should sober our Balokole community. Though Shyaka and I do not completely share the same belief system, I believe his words were dead on. Since an ongoing investigation is taking place concerning Pastor Murenzi’s alleged defilement and rape it would be best for me not to comment on that case. However, both last week’s headlines (“More cases against alleged pedophile pastor?”) and editorial call us to significant reflection.

A quick glance through Christian history takes us to astounding contradictions. Both humanity’s greatest heights and most depraved moments have been done in the name of religion. It seems that for every Mother Theresa saving the destitute of India there is a Jim Jones Suicide Cult leading masses in death and destruction. Africa is not immune from the phenomenon. The fires of Evangelical faith and action thrive on the same soils that produced the Kanungu massacre in Uganda. Rwanda has seen this sad state of Christian history more than any other nation. From the soil of Rwanda began the East African Revival in the 1930’s. No student of Christian history can deny the impact of Rwanda upon all Evangelicals in Sub-Saharan Africa. Yet from the same soils that changed the face of Christianity throughout Africa, the Christian religion participated in the 1994 Genocide.

Is it any wonder that so many of Rwanda’s intellectual community are both spiritually hungry and religiously skeptical? The problems that we live with can only find solutions through both faith and reason. The pain we need healing from can only happen when our entire being – body, mind, and spirit are healed. We are created in God’s image and only by using our full human capacity can we become all He intends. What could we be, but spiritually hungry? Yet the failings of pseudo-Christian leaders are so numerous and blatant how could any one with a brain not be religiously skeptical?

This problem of being spiritually hungry but religiously skeptical is not a new one. In fact, the ones the Lord has chosen throughout time to provide leadership have wrestled with this dilemma. They have many sleepless nights. Conflict seems to be their way of life. The weight upon their shoulders leads them to gray earlier than most. Their journals and diaries tell painful stories. During their season of leadership they have many detractors. Yet history shows them to be the ones God chose to use.

So how do we find such men and women? How do we hear their message? Where should we gather with those who will not exploit us, but nurture us to our greatest heights?

Allow me to propose some of history’s answers. First, though we desire for church to be a place of love, peace, and fellowship it’s very nature is one of conflict. The Greek word for church is Ecclesia which literally means “those called out of the world.” The concept of church is one of separation. Yet as this separation happens and goodness thrives sometimes something goes very wrong. David Hansen, in his book, “The Power of Loving Your Church” calls it Pastor Narcissus. Narcissus is the mythical Greek figure who died staring at his own image in a pool. Pastor Narcissus is the same vile character who makes church into his own image. He has such a powerful need to be needed that he ceases to call the church out of the world. Instead he calls the world to himself and creates a self absorbed cult. Here’s the bottom line. When ever you meet Pastor Narcissus run as far and fast as you can. Though his words and image are smooth, he is a demon in human flesh full of jealousy and trickery. Though for a season he is a wonder worker in the end he brings death to all he touches.

So how do we recognize Pastor Narcissus? I propose four markers to recognize Pastor Narcissus. The first is he is a crowd pleaser. He knows how to take our most fleshly needs and desires and market them as God’s. Some of his mantras are pseudo-Christian teaching like “Name it. Claim it.” Another of his mantras is the Health and Wealth gospel. He habitually neglects that Jesus’ basic message was that He would go to a cross and He promised his followers the same fate. Pastor Narcissus thrives in a self absorbed crowd. All who want to be healed and become wealthy flock to him. If you use a crowd as the barometer for God’s work I propose just the opposite. If everyone you know is flocking to a man, you should run the opposite way.

The second marker of Pastor Narcissus is a vision impossible to execute. This is just the natural consequence of his crowd pandering. Throughout time authentic leaders usually arose from humble backgrounds. Many were washed up failures until just the right moment. A problem arose and they saw it not as a problem, but an opportunity. With no resources but the Lord and a creative mind and willing hands they went to work. Winston Churchill was such a man when at the low point in the Second World War he promised Britain nothing, but blood, sweat, and tears. Pastor Narcissus is just the opposite. His mouth spews many easy to digest ideas. They appeal to our need for ease. If everyone you know is flocking to a man whose hands have no calluses, run the opposite way.

The third marker of Pastor Narcissus is the inability to speak the truth. Truth can be painful to hear. We all want to be heroes in our own minds. We want to believe the best about ourselves. Yet, what if the truth is a message of conviction and accountability? We like those messages being directed at our opponents, but what if they are directed at ourselves? Again, history’s great leaders bring us to the painful mirror. We are not fascinated by our image in the mirror, but repulsed by it. Yet this repulsion brings about personal change. We become better men and women by listening to their indicting words. However, Pastor Narcissus tells us what we want to hear. He knows the itch in our ears and love for them to be tickled. If everyone you know is flocking to a man whose words taste like sugar, run the opposite way.

The last marker of Pastor Narcissus is the inability to live truthfully. An authentic message must be delivered by an authentic messenger. Frequently, we look for the heroic. However, history shows that most heroes are rather ordinary people. Simple actions show spiritual authenticity. A good leader is generous with his time, friends, and resources. His home is full of family and friends during seasons of both celebration and grief. His family is managed well. He arises each day and does the simple tasks placed before him with excellence. Pastor Narcissus is just the opposite. He hoards all that he has. He creates an artificial barrier between himself and those he serves. The illusions he creates are ones that make transparency and accountability impossible. No one really knows what he does with his money and time. His family is chaotic. In fact, to meet his need to be needed he frequently preys upon the most vulnerable of society such as women and children. With his illusions comes inconsistent performance. Thus he continues to resort to grandiose claims and delusions as he hides from reality. If everyone you know is flocking to a man whose actions are not true, run the opposite way.

So what are we to do? I’m with Shyaka on this one. I propose a simple zero tolerance policy for religious charlatans. If they are guilty as charged let them bear the full responsibility for their actions. They have misused Christian grace and forgiveness and now need to experience Christian accountability to truly change.

But what about those of us seeking for more? My plea is simply this – Don’t give up on faith. Keep seeking. Test everyone and every idea. Give your trust to those who have shown themselves trustworthy. You will find what you are seeking.

Come run with me.