Fire the Minister

I haven’t heard a lot of talk about letting our Preacher go. . .yet, but there is still time. At least we have the blessing of the Supreme Court of the United States when that time comes. If the Church had to follow the same policies as the Government, Church staff, regardless of what they do. . .or don’t, could stay on until the Church goes under (similar to the state of our current Government).

It was a banner day for religious freedom yesterday as the Supreme Court ruled that government can’t tell religious institutions whom they can hire and fire as “ministers.” The unanimous decision was a crushing rebuke to the Obama Administration, which had taken the radical position that churches are little different from any other employer in job disputes. In the High Court’s latest support for the First Amendment, all nine Justices upheld what’s known as the “ministerial exception” in employment disputes, recognizing a healthy degree of autonomy for churches, synagogues and other houses of worship. (Wall Street Journal)

It’s great that the Court is upholding “ministerial exception.” Personally, I think we need to uphold “exceptional ministers.” Of course we understand that according to God’s Word, every Believer is a “minister.” I know there are some ministers who aren’t worth much (I won’t mention my Preacher here) when it comes to hard work and commitment to task. And, those folks probably need to find a new line of work. But for all you “exceptional ministers” out there, who are utilizing your Spiritual gift, supporting your congregation, caring for the folks around you, and lloving “the brethren,” I am glad the Court “has your back.”

Now for those ministers who need to “get with it” – remember, your Church can let you go without so much as a goodby kiss, and the EEOC can’t help you. That’s a winning policy in my book.