How To Get Rid Of A Wolf
How to get rid of a wolf in the church is the great question. Wolves in the church are always the pastor's dilemma. The problem is how to rid Christ's local assembly of this dreadful beast without dividing the body or at the very least dislodging some precious members. First of all, if you do not have a clear majority to stand with you, you will just have to live with the situation or resign - (which is what these wolves are hoping for). Many pastors endeavor to stay and slowly and excruciatingly work it out. This usually involves working through forty acres of Hell. One of the great perils here is that the torture of this ordeal will many times discourage and dishearten some members of the pastor's own family for life. (Many a pastor's wife or child has been destroyed by wolves and the emotional damage brought on by their attacks.) If you have the backing of the church, a very good first move is to take away whatever is keeping the wolf at your place. If the wolf is a piano player, give the job to someone else. If the wolf is a deacon, let the church decide to decrease the number of deacons and remove him. If the wolf is a song leader, take the position away from him, even if you have to lead the choir yourself.
While surgical removal is always painful, the body will be much healthier because of it. Yet some wolves are impossible to get rid of. Some stay because of loved ones who are buried in the cemetery out back. Some stay beca7,ise they are too steeped in their ways to leave. These creatures give many and varied reasons to justify staying in a church that neither wants them nor uses them. I realize the measures that I have proposed here are both harsh and drastic, but we are not talking about peace and tolerance. We are talking about saving churches from the scrap heap and providing a spiritual atmosphere for the salvation of sinners. Remember, preacher, keep their heads preached down. Give them the Word of God for breakfast, dinner, and supper. Teach less and less and preach more and more. Have fewer programs and less outside activities. Do less feasting and playing and more fasting and praying. Have very little "shipped in" singing and use your people almost exclusively for all specials. If you have a guard dog, use him and develop him. Pray much and be sure your messages are in the Holy Ghost and not an exhibition of your own talents. Never think that being kind to a wolf or giving her a job in the church will solve the problem. It will only make things worse. Keep in mind that a full-fledged wolf is never a born-again-Christian-and in my opinion, will not ever be one. Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might (Ephesians 6:10)
Preacher Handley Milby
Buffalo, KY