It was a ‘best of times, worst of times’ moment. I’ve had a few over the years. But this one was an unholy mess. A true kettle of fish. A hard row to hoe.

After I left a church I never should have served (I know that now), I became an investment advisor for a large US firm. From pastor to financial planner. Quite the transition, yet the most wonderful 20 years. The best far outweighed the worst times of market and interest rate roller-coaster gyrations.

Years later, I’m contacted by a pastor friend in my denomination about preaching while he was away. Fine. I’ve preached time and again, but never for my old tribe. So, I agreed. How’d it go? Rather well. No rafters collapse, wiping out elders and deacons in one fell swoop. Only a few were in attendance. No earthquakes jar the sanctuary.

Feeling some after-the-fact discomfort, I decide to check in with the denominational committee that oversees pastors without a current church call. Like me. Their green light would nicely clear the air. Am I skating on ecclesiastical thin ice? Maybe I don’t notice cracks in the frozen H2O beneath my tootsies!?

My, oh my, what a gathering that was with that ministerial brain trust. More like a military tribunal. Felt like a plucked chicken before being tossed into a tub of boiling water. Through the wringer puts it mildly. What I simply want to know is if it’s okay to preach in one of their churches if needed. Sure the horse has left the barn, but I’m still a member in good standing, so these are my churches as well. Or so I thought. Dumb, stupid me!

Here comes a letter from that group the next week. After an ominous greeting of ‘Dear John’, I should have been suspicious. What did it say? Here’s the gist in a nutshell–never preach for us again. Never means never. In addition, hang up your hat and leave Dodge before we crank up the tar and feather machine. Never share the Gospel with any church anywhere again. Again, never. Now, nowhere. Not just in our precious denomination. You’re fired! Get out. Got it?

Actually, I didn’t. No moral or ethical charges had ever been filed against me (I made them put that in writing at the recommendation of a good, concerned Jewish friend, who was shocked that I had no union supporting me as their rabbis always had!). Yes, the majority of the elder board wanted me out, but 80% of the congregation said no way. It seems like a put-up job by jealous types. Somehow I outshine some? Tsk. Tsk. Shame on me.

Attending my local pastor’s weekly Bible study, I bring this letter with me, moaning and bemoaning my plight. What should I do? My back’s to the wall. Or is it? An old pastor, who maybe had one year of Bible school–maybe–immediately eyeballs me saying, ‘Did God call you to preach?’ I said, ‘Yes, He did’. He then bellowed out these words smack dab in my face–‘if God calls you to preach, you preach! Why do you listen to those people?’ I’m flabbergasted. Shocked. Dumbfounded.

He’s right. Why do I kowtow to them? As if a light goes on, I immediately send a letter to that hierarchical mob resigning then and there. Finished. Over and out. Kaput and Adios. They’re fired!

Guess what happens? Religious swat teams surround my house? Anthrax arrives in the mail with the indecency of having postage due? Threats come my way like a lingering blizzard in January? No self-respecting pastor ever speaks to me again? Shunned and disgraced?

Yeah, right! I never preached so much! Doors open up by the Lord in spite of aggressive efforts to keep me from following His calling. Time long passed to move on with Jesus. And I did and have.

We all face moments when we must stand up for Jesus. Never easy or faultless or without trembling knees. So, hear these words from the Bible–‘…We must obey God rather than men’ (Acts 5:29); and ‘…Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God…'(Acts 4:19); and ‘…who was I that I could stand in God’s way?’ (Acts 11:17). We need divine toughening for the days ahead. Don’t we? Spiritual cement in our spines to stay faithful to Jesus and God’s Word.

What confronts you? Time to be who you say you are? His? And only His? By all means, stand up for Jesus. Firmly anchored in the truth of the Bible.

Be a soldier of the cross, knowing there’s victory in Jesus.

Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the courage to stand with you. Amen.