Where Have All the Prophets Gone?
The challenges of having a "prophetic voice" in the church today.
“You have a prophetic voice.”
My husband and I were driving somewhere, and as I lamented my frustrations to him he turned to me and said those words.
Do you know what I said?
“Ew. Gross!”
Ironically, I’ve heard that comment a lot since that conversation. My reaction is still the same.
Who wants a prophetic voice?!
Do you know what happened to the prophets?
They were shunned, questioned, had to live outside their means, oh, and don’t forget, they were killed.
Ezekiel ate over a poop-fire.
Elijah ran away and hid for his life against Jezebel. (Isn’t it ironic that strong women in the church are called Jezebel’s?!)
Jonah (my spirit prophet btw), was so angry he went in the exact opposite direction of where God told him to go. Then, when he finally got to Nineveh, shared the message, and caused repentance, he went and sulked under a tree because God didn’t destroy the Ninevites - his enemies.
Hosea married a prostitute.
Jeremiah was imprisoned.
The Talmud tells us that Isaiah was sawn in two (also referenced in Hebrews).
This list goes on. Being a prophet wasn’t a good time!
Even when you’re telling the truth, you’re called a false-prophet.
My Pastor once shared his idea of what the difference between a false-prophet and a prophetic voice are. For the first time I understood and felt deeply, exactly what that difference was, and it was eye-opening for me.
False Prophets
Have you ever had someone come up to you with the sincerest expression and say “God told me to tell you…” then proceed to share something with you that was either
None of their business,
An attempt to make you change your behaviour or “fall in line,” or
A regurgitation of their own problems, wrapped up in a pretty little Scripture bow.
It’s those conversations “over coffee” that you’ve invited to when you’re causing people to question the status quo.
Are they really concerned for you, or for the “division” you’re causing?
Maybe it’s because you’re making them feel uncomfortable so to silence you they share something “God” told them.
Here’s what I’ve learned about having a “prophetic voice”…
1. It’s not fun.
“You’re making change,” they tell me.
Can I tell you a secret? I don’t want to make change. Sometimes I want to go back to what was comfortable.
2. I didn’t seek it.
Unlike those who “feel compelled by the Lord” to share stern words about behaviour, or invite someone out “for a coffee” (yes, I’m generalizing here) I hate that I have prophetic voice. I don’t want it. I didn’t ask for it. I’d prefer to not have it at all.
3. It causes more heartache than happiness.
“You’re the tip of the axe,” my husband tells me.
Fun… not really.
The stories I hear break my heart. Yes, there are wonderful, beautiful, amazing, fruitful things that happen in the church. Yes, there’s pain, hurt, and conflict in every church.
The point of contention for me, is that after something has been brought forward, no resolution takes place. Instead there’s finger pointing, name-calling, victim-blaming, trolling.
It’s no wonder people are leaving the church. In many cases, Jesus isn’t present in the church for them anyway. So go out. Find Jesus! Leave the harm! Especially if you aren’t being heard, because someone, somewhere will hear you, and your voice matters.
Some helpful resources…
A Church Called Tov and Pivot by Scot McKnight & Laura Barringer
When Religion Hurts You by Laura Anderson
When Narcissism Comes to Church by Chuck DeGroat
What a downer of a post, eh? (Whoops, my Canadian is showing.) Here’s something to cheer you up —> I made a free resource, and you get it on my website.
Can you help me out?
I’m running a poll for a possible webinar, care to share your thoughts?
