The overscrupulous religious bad boy is a leader who sucks energy from various members of the church. With his endless observations about himself and others, he drains joy from the congregation. Additionally, he is always seeking advice and reassurance, mostly for trivialities.
Further, this bad boy is stingy with his emotions and material possessions. Money often becomes a battleground for him. He insists that the church does things his way and is unaware of the rage he provokes in others when their plans are set aside on behalf of his nitpicking demands.
Unfortunately, this bad boy often ends up as the church treasurer or runs church meetings and runs these meetings strictly by the latest edition of Roberts Rules. He will argue points of order, procedures and motions so that the point of the meeting becomes lost and the members are frustrated. He fails to see the humor in many situations.
This bad boy can also take on the role of being the person who notices every tiny infraction by church members. The overscrupulous Christian bad boy engages in biblical nitpicking and tends to use certain sections of God's Word as litmus tests, passing judgment on the spiritual state of those who don't agree with his interpretation. Further, it is not uncommon for him to feel much anxiety about his Christian walk and worry about committing the unpardonable sin.
How can the church help the overscrupulous spiritual bad boy?
The core concern to be addressed with him is "what is your God like?" This man tends to have a Pharaoh for his god. God, from his perspective, is one who is perpetually demanding of him. The whole perception of a God of deliverance from the slave pits, One who can release him from the burden of guilt, shame and sin, a God who has a "wideness in His mercy" and whose love is broader than than he can perceive -- is the message we want to convey by our presence and our responses to these burden bearers who take on the world's load.
Many thanks to the deceased Dr. Oates from whom much of this information is taken. His seminal work Behind the Masks should be read by those in positions of leadership in the church.
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
Further, this bad boy is stingy with his emotions and material possessions. Money often becomes a battleground for him. He insists that the church does things his way and is unaware of the rage he provokes in others when their plans are set aside on behalf of his nitpicking demands.
Unfortunately, this bad boy often ends up as the church treasurer or runs church meetings and runs these meetings strictly by the latest edition of Roberts Rules. He will argue points of order, procedures and motions so that the point of the meeting becomes lost and the members are frustrated. He fails to see the humor in many situations.
This bad boy can also take on the role of being the person who notices every tiny infraction by church members. The overscrupulous Christian bad boy engages in biblical nitpicking and tends to use certain sections of God's Word as litmus tests, passing judgment on the spiritual state of those who don't agree with his interpretation. Further, it is not uncommon for him to feel much anxiety about his Christian walk and worry about committing the unpardonable sin.
How can the church help the overscrupulous spiritual bad boy?
The core concern to be addressed with him is "what is your God like?" This man tends to have a Pharaoh for his god. God, from his perspective, is one who is perpetually demanding of him. The whole perception of a God of deliverance from the slave pits, One who can release him from the burden of guilt, shame and sin, a God who has a "wideness in His mercy" and whose love is broader than than he can perceive -- is the message we want to convey by our presence and our responses to these burden bearers who take on the world's load.
Many thanks to the deceased Dr. Oates from whom much of this information is taken. His seminal work Behind the Masks should be read by those in positions of leadership in the church.
BE HOLY.
BE A MAN.
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