Following is my comment on abuse of spiritual authority in the name of shepherding. For the original article by Dr Ben Toh and related matters, pls visit
Cannot imagine somebody persuading my Korean-wife to threaten me with divorce when I was considering leaving ubf :) Thank God that did not happen because we share similar visions for our future.
‘Abuse’ or ‘abusive’ are such terrible words to be heard in Christian circle. Although this happens in many unfortunate ways, abuse of spiritual authority is the most subtle one. I checked antonyms for ‘abusive’ and found words like ‘complimentary’, ‘kind’, ‘respectful’. We all need leaders, especially men and women with ‘spiritual authority’ who can give us guidance, direction and vision to progress in our lives and ministry in complimentary, kind and respectful ways. How we wish those Christ-like qualities in our leaders! Dr Ben earlier practiced the ideology of “end justifies the means”, but he has changed and is willing to advocate against abuse of spiritual authority. Glory be to God for this conversion!
The ideology of “end justifies the means” continues to be Satan’s major strategy to deceive those in authority even from the Garden of Eden time. Using this, Satan deceives fallen men to attempt to escape and or rebel against the ultimate authority of God. In other word, “end justifies the means” violates the Kingdom life style (Mt 6:33) and as a result well meaning and born-again believers tolerate and promote unrighteousness in personal and public life.
Abuse of spiritual authority is rooted in lack of trust that God can control situations which are out of the control of the leader, combined with excessive self-righteousness. A method worked and gave good result does not make it automatically godly. Further, we need not make that method our ‘core values’ for all time and purposes. Abuse of spiritual authority is also due to loosing sight of eternity and having a hope in Christ only for this life (1Co 15:19,32). Are we shepherding people only for this life? Are we building up a ministry only for this life? Do we want to enjoy all the position and fame only here and now? Our present life and mission are but internship for eternal, glorious assignments yet to come (Rev 20:4), for the planet Earth, under the leadership of Jesus who will be the King of kings and Lord of lords. Even apostle Paul did not want to be distracted from such a hope (1Co 9:27). Just as Satan is whispering to make us abuse God given authority, God is watching and faithfully recording how righteous are we going to be with the given authority, to determine our eternal rewards.
I am sure that Ben’s article and the comments are not going to go well with many present chapter directors, national directors, continental directors, gen directors and so on. But it is my sincere prayers that instead of being like Moses’ generation that came out from Egypt and experienced many powerful miracles in the wilderness yet almost none qualified to enter the Promised Land except two, many of these leaders in authority may read and have time of sincere reflection and a re-conversion experience like that of Ben filled with glorious hope for eternity.
