Can you really fix these people?
Sometimes, a congregation can become a minister’s project. “The congregation is rough around the edges now but they promised that if we (this minister and family) will move there to be their minister, everything will work out.”
Sometimes, a man can be a woman’s project. “Sure he is rough around the edges now, but he is going to make some changes.”
Sometimes, a company can become a man or woman’s project. “Yes, they fired the last three people in this role but this time it is going to be different.”
Can you really fix a person, a congregation, or a company?
Yes, it could be that the congregation is making a few changes. But in time, people may become weary and even resentful of changes in the congregation that were made just so the new minister would agree to come work with them. (“None of us really wanted to do this but the new minister insisted.”)
Similarly, a young woman may become very weary and resentful of the changes she made to appease the one who is now her husband.
Of course, anyone can change. The gospel is so powerful! However, change needs to come from within. We can get into trouble when others feel as if it was imposed upon them.
We are not in the business of fixing people. Nor are people or congregations our “projects” that we will clean up.
Many years ago, I was being interviewed by a congregation that had experienced severe trouble and conflict. At the time, I was very discouraged with another congregation, the one in which I was serving. During the interview, I heard things that made me very uneasy. There were several red flags. Yet, I minimized these and dismissed several instead of looking at reality squarely in the eye and naming this situation for what it was.
Fortunately, it is not our job to fix an individual or a congregation full of people. Instead, we look at the reality of a situation for what it really is. We trust in God. We pray for wisdom.
Fixing another person is not our task. Rather, we are called to bear witness to the power, love, and grace of God.