A Boar in God's Vineyard

One of my all-time favorite speakers and authors has always been the delightful and insightful Chuck Swindol. He is about the best I have ever seen at taking spiritual truth and putting it out there in a way that anyone can understand it and apply it. And his humor is infectious. In fact, one of my most favorite books I have ever read is Swindol's "Laugh Again" which is a true masterpiece on the topic of Joy as seen in the New Testament book of Philippians.

Yesterday I watched a talk on You Tube that Chuck Swindol gave to a conference of pastors, ministry leaders and their spouses. He tackled a topic that most people don't want to admit is a reality. It deals with the ugly side of the church. In this penetrating talk, Swindol tackles the topic of difficult people in the church who cause division and destruction. If you would like to watch the video simply go to You Tube and type "Swindol - A Boar in God's Vineyard" into the search engine.

If you are a pastor, ministry leader, or the spouse of a pastor or ministry leader, you really need to watch this message. In fact, if you are a pastor or ministry leader, I can guarantee that you fall into one of three categories:

You have gone through an altercation with someone like this in your church!

You are currently dealing with someone like this in your church!

You will someday soon have to deal with someone like this in your church!

How do I know this is true? Because times haven't changed much. The Bible speaks of individuals like this that even the Apostle Paul and the Apostle John had to deal with in several different passages in the New Testament. Here are some examples:

"I wrote something to the church; but Diotrephes, who loves to be first among them, does not accept what we say. For this reason, if I come, I will call attention to his deeds which he does, unjustly accusing us with wicked words; and not satisfied with this, neither does he himself receive the brethren, and he forbids those who desire to do so and puts them out of the church."

(3 John 1:9-10)

"Now I urge you brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them. For such men are slaves, not of our Lord Christ, but of their own appetites, and by their smooth and flattering speech they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting."

(Romans 16:17-18)

"A Boar in God's Vineyard" by Chuck Swindol. This is a video that I will listen to again. If you are a pastor or ministry leader, you will greatly benefit from watching it as well! The topic is very disheartening but the way Chuck ends the message is uplifting and liberating. Invest an hour of your time in finding and watching it. You will be so glad that you did!