LOSING CONTROL”
By Dr. Hoyt W.
Allen, Jr.
Losing control in
almost any situation
in one’s life is not
very well received.
For instance:
1) As one feels the
lack of control
while behind the
steering wheel, due
to snow/ice
2) When parents see
their child grow
into a teenager and
become rebellious
and seemingly can no
longer choose their
friends or have the
respect which they
had previously
experienced
3) When parents
cannot select who
their child dates,
marries, or where
they live or how
they raise their
children
4) When one’s
employer informs
him/her there is a
“cut back” or
permanent layoff
approaching
5) When one’s
marriage has become
routine and then
boring and there
seems to be no
answer to changing
its direction
6) When a coach just
cannot get the game
he is losing to do a
reversal
7) When a military
leader keeps getting
pushed back and
defeat is evident
In the Lord’s church
when some who have
been in the
“Driver’s Seat”
begin to lose
control - problems
normally result!
This often happens
when numeric growth
begins and “they”
say:
1) “I don’t know
everybody anymore”,
or “Who are all
these newcomers
coming to my church
and they sit in my
place, or they are
doing ‘my job’.”
2) “Things are
happening around
here of which I am
not aware. I never
did like change and
these changes are
taking place without
my knowledge or
approval. I want to
keep my thumb on all
things and keep the
church to a size
that I can control.”
Often a church will
call a minister to
lead them and then
demonstrate that
they do not want
led, and refuse any
change. Thus,
ministers become
discouraged trying
to lead people to do
a better work for
the Lord, who
seemingly do not
really want to be
led and who reject
change. This is a
major reason why
ministers “move on”
seeking to locate
with a congregation
who really is
concerned about lost
souls and want to
progress. May we
accept change where
it is needed to
advance the work of
God. In other words,
there are many in
the Lord’s church
who need to “GROW
UP”. It is not our
church - we did not
die for it, Christ
did. May we get our
minds on Him and not
on our petty ideas
as to how to “run”
His church (Matthew
28:18-20)!
KYOWVA Evangelistic
Association * 1541
S. 7th Street *
Ironton, OH 45638
Webpage: www.kyowva.com