It Starts at the Top (Colossians 1:17-18)

A friend recently shared a sad and insensitive encounter with a young pastor. The pastor was encouraging his congregation to attend a new study the entire church was about to begin. In his excitement, he stated, “Now, for weeks, you have all heard about our new study, unless you are deaf! Here, maybe I need to do this.” He then proceeded to do a mock imitation of signing for the deaf.

My friend and his wife were horrified. As parents of a child with special needs, they found the pastor’s actions offensive and insensitive. My friend later confronted the pastor who acknowledged that it may have been inappropriate, but there was no apology, no sense of remorse. Considering the matter unresolved, my friend then emailed the senior pastor. The senior pastor also acknowledged the matter, but again, no apology.

The young pastor was definitely insensitive. And the inaction of the senior pastor was equally disturbing. In that church, there is a culture of insensitivity. It starts at the top.

Every organization has a culture and the church is no exception. I expect that a church would be more caring and sensitive to issues that address people with special needs and the disenfranchised. But the church is made of flawed individuals. We are all sinners, saved only by the grace of God. God is working within all believers, transforming and sanctifying through His Holy Spirit.

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
Colossians 1:17-18 (ESV)

The culture of any organization starts at the top. Whether we are an employer or employee, minister or layperson, we need to be aware of the culture. The head of every church is Jesus Christ. We need to hold the culture and behavior of its leaders accountable to God’s Word.

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.