Monday Morning Insight has a thread about “church pirates”. At a video taped staff meeting, Ed Young Jr. talked about those who leave a church staff to plant a new church, “stealing” members from the first church.
There are tons of comments, with some interesting thoughts. People taking different sides. One of the issues is the “50 Mile Rule”. Sometimes it is argued that you shouldn’t pastor a new church within 50 miles of the original church. There are too many generalizations in Ed’s comments, and the feedback.
Since I “haven’t lived it out” Ed doesn’t want to hear from me. But, here are some thoughts as I’ve observed things:
1. Healthy churches, and healthy church leaders, raise up younger men to plant new churches in their own cities or surrounding cities. This is a strategic move. It can be intentional, and should be in my opinion. This permits people to stay in their communities for the benefit of their families (yes, they matter too).
2. Some churches need to consider doing that very thing. They often have a “rigid” philosophy of ministry and there are a group of people who would like to see changes. A wise, secure Senior Pastor and lay leaders could say “we want to remain as we are, but recognize you have some legitimate desires”. They would then work together to plant a daughter church that has a different ministry style. The core group would go with their blessing. But, instead of that people slowly bleed out to attend another church in town that may be more in tune with them.
3. The “50 Mile Rule” is usually (not exclusively) used by either insecure pastors, or when an adversarial relationship has developed. In the first case, the Senior Pastor or lay leaders are so afraid of losing members they fail to love their members well by seeking what may be best for Christ, the kingdom and the people. In this case the “rule” is petty and should not be invoked. In the second case, it may be the pride of the younger man that drives the animosity. Either way, tensions are heightened to the point that they can not work together, nor support one another. The desire is to not plant a toxic church. In this case the “rule” is good. What often results is a “splant” or a plant resulting from a split. The community I live in is filled with splants. There have been very few real church plants here. As a result the churches tend not to work together, and the reputation of the Body of Christ has taken some serious hits.
4. Then there are the guys who remind me of Absalom. David’s son stole the hearts of Israel in his attempt to overthrow the King. Some staff members may do this, purposely undermining the Senior Pastor. These men are dangerous and shouldn’t be planting a church. These are the “pirates” but they are not very common in my experience.
But Ed sounds burned and bitter. He seems to discount all church plants within the community as a result of these “troublers of Israel”.
Jared at Gospel Driven Church has some good thoughts. Ed’s repeated references to corporate America may reveal more than he wishes, and color how he views these things.
Yeah something doesn’t seem right with what Ed has to say. My thoughts too that the real “pirating” is probably rare.. most that leave want to leave.
I agree- Ed sounds like he’s warning folks in the audience not to steal members from his church.
Although I do agree that it is better for people to stay in a church fellowship that isn’t “perfectly” suited to them. If only to learn to submit to one another in love, which may mean changing the music or putting up with it.. etc..
I was humbled by a dear elderly woman in our church who missed using the praise books, because she didn’t see well enough to read the overhead screens… but her attitude was ” whatever is best for the young belieivers is ok with her-because she already knew the Lord”
That is an example submitting to others in love…
It is frustrating for him I am sure.
I wonder how many people visited Ed’s church but he told them to go back to the church who held their membership?
It is easy to say “don’t leave us”
How about some guys who will say to the visitors “you need to go back to your church and work that out w/ your elders”