Where Wolves I: Who Are The Wolves
Pastor’s conferences are kinda weird. Over my years of ministry I have been to a lot of these conferences and I have noticed an odd dynamic. Quite often these events consist of pastors telling pastors how pastors are really important or how pastors are underappreciated or how pastors need to be respected or how pastors have a hard job. The whole thing, at times, can seem self serving. Don’t get me wrong, I understand there are unique challenges to a pastor’s life and spending time talking, sharing and even, on occasion, commiserating can be deeply beneficial but at times this exercise can move from being supportive and affirming to misguided and destructive. (If you’re not a pastor keep reading, this is ultimately about church-goers not pastors)
On more than one occasion I have seen this conversation move to the issue of “wolf hunting.” I’m not talking about hunting real wolves, (I wouldn’t have an issue with that ‘cause that sounds cool) I’m talking about the metaphorical process of identifying, confronting and eradicating “wolves in sheep clothing” in your church. Usually this conversation begins with some story about some church member that created “dissention” or was “rebellious” or, worst of all, didn’t submit to the “vision of the senior pastor” and it ends with an encouragement to be courageous and “protect the flock” from these threats.
While the basic elements of this admonition match biblical metaphors I fear that the dynamic at play amongst pastors leads to a mis-application of the concept in the life of the church. If you really want to step into the role of wolf killer (a role I believe pastors are charged with in the bible) you have to understand who a wolf is, what characteristics identify a wolf and how wolves are eliminated according to God’s word. You can’t simply apply that title to anyone you want because ultimately you end up shooting sheep and protecting wolves.
So first, who are the wolves?
As I stated earlier, one of the ideas that is expressed often is that you have to beware of “wolves in sheep’s clothing” and this phrase is drawn directly from the words of Christ:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” (Matt 7:15)
Although this is a direct quote from the Gospel of Matthew and are the words of Jesus, you have to understand the context if you are going to use this passage as a starting point to find wolves.
Whenever Christ uses the analogy of sheep it is always with the understanding that He is the Shepherd. It is in this context that He uses it when He paints a picture of the end time judgement and the separating of goats and sheep (Matt 25), it’s in this context that he quotes the prophecy from Zachariah 13 about the shepherd being struck and the sheep scattered (Matt 26, Mark 14), and it’s in this context when he speaks of the Good Shepherd in John 10. Every sheep analogy implies the followers of Christ are sheep and HE is the Shepherd. This is important because when pastors co-opt Jesus’ terminology “ravenous wolves” in “sheep’s clothing” we are creating a subtle but profound shift from Christ’s intent. Pastors are assuming the role of shepherd in this description and the members of their congregation as the false sheep. It is implying, that if we are going to “go on a wolf hunt” we, as the overseers of the flock, have to look in the sheep pen. The problem with this is Christ is putting us, the pastors, in the sheep pen. He is saying there are those amongst the sheep that purport to be leaders, teachers, prophets who are false, who are the wolves.
Christ begins the proper identification of wolves not pretending to be simply members of Christ’s fold but leaders among Christ’s fold. And this identification is consistent with the other occasion in scripture where we are warned against the threat of wolves in Acts 20.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert…
When you look at the story behind this declaration it provides significant insight into the identification of wolves. Paul has just called together the elders from the church of Ephesus. This will be the last time he meets with them and gives them instruction. As you read this it is so important to remember that Paul started this church, spent years with this church and he appointed the elders in this church. He knows them, he loves them and he has raised them up. And he warns them to look out for wolves who will arise from among your own selves. The indication seems to be that Paul is warning the elders/pastors of Ephesus to look at themselves first when beginning their “wolf hunt.” In Calvin’s commentary on Acts he explains this passage like this:
This amplifieth the grievousness of the evil, because there be some wolves within, and so hiding themselves under the title of pastors (elders), [which] do wait for some opportunity wherein they may do hurt. Also, he declareth what danger these wolves do threaten, to wit, the scattering abroad of the flock, when the Church is drawn away from the unity of faith, and is divided into sects. Neither are all those wolves who do not their duty as they ought, but there be oftentimes hirelings, a kind of men not so hurtful as the other.
Paul is saying the ravenous wolves that pretend to be Christ’s sheep are the people who are leading the flock. That we pastors, when looking for wolves, should first look in the mirror. It’s easy to see this is true when you realize that many of the most dire warnings in scripture about threats to the church revolve around false teachers, false leaders, false prophets. (2 Peter 2:1-3, Romans 17:17, 1 John 4:1-4, 2 John 1:7-11, 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 2 Timothy 4:3). It is NOT about bad sheep, it’s about bad (under)shepherds.
Yes, there are trouble makers in the pews. Yes, there are those who don’t follow well. Yes, there are those who make the jobs of pastors more difficult. But this is what sheep do. They bite each other. They wander away. They resist the leading of the shepherd. But the answer isn’t to shoot them or to throw them into the woods where they might starve or be devoured simply because that would make the shepherds job easier. Unruly sheep need to be shepherded not shot. They need to be cared for and pastored. They need to be nurtured and developed. It’s not fun, it’s not easy, it’s not glamorous, it’s not macho but it is the work of the Gospel to which pastors are called.
In fact, the truth is, when we begin to treat the sheep as threats to OUR roles as shepherd we begin to display the traits of the wolf which we are called to eliminate.
Next: Identifying the Wolf
SATURDAY SERVICE in Lake Country
Sunday's service in Lake Country will be cancelled this weekend due to meeting on Saturday.
Friends’ Day Sunday 9/22
All Church Retreat Information
Those who have registered and are attending this weekend's church retreat, please review the information below.
- Location: Green Lake Conference Center - W2511 State Road 23, Green Lake, WI 54941
- Cost: Remaining retreat balance is due upon on arrival
- Food: Friday dinner and Saturday breakfast will be provided
- Accomadations: Upon arrival proceed to campsites and Deziree Rosploch will direct you from there.
- Things to Keep In Mind:
- No alcohol, firearms permitted on grounds.
- Unmarried couples will be expected to keep separate accommodations.
- Dogs on leash are allowed at campsites only.
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Contact: 414-899-4830 & Email: deziree@mercyhill.org
- Cabins and houses are furnished with bedding. Campsites have electrical hookups
- Campsites can be occupied at 1:30PM and you can check into your cabin at 4:00PM
- Campsite checkout time is at 1:30PM on Saturday and cabin checkout time is at 10:00AM
- Feel free to visit www.glcc.org to find out all of the fun things offered at Green Lake Conference Center. Also, see info below on some of the activities we can do together (updates to below on arrival).
Bay View Gallery Night On Friday, 5/31
New Friend's Cafe
Join after after our second service this Sunday for our new Friend's Cafe. It's a time where we'll have lunch, hang out and Pastors Tommy and Kevin will speak more about Mercy Hill Church.
All Church Prayer on May 1
- Wednesday, 5/1
- 7:00 p.m.
- Church Office - 2nd Floor
Mystery Series Begins Easter
Sunday, 3/24 - Palm Sunday (Both Loctions)
Join us as we begin a new series titled Mystery to lead into Easter Sunday.
- Bay View - 9:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
- Lake Country - 10:00 a.m.
Friday, 3/29 - Good Friday @ 7:00 p.m. (Bay View Locaiton Only)
Join us this evening as we observe Good Friday with a Tenebrae Service during which we will reflect on the aspects of the passion story. For more information, contact bayview@mercyhill.org. Childcare will be provided for birth to age 2.
Sunday, 3/31 - Easter Sunday (Both Loctions)
- Bay View - 9:00 a.m. & 10:45 a.m.
- Lake Country - 10:00 a.m.
Time Travel This Sunday
Daylight Savings begins Sunday. Don't forget to change your clocks an hour ahead, see ya Sunday!
Marriage Retreat | March 22-23
This retreat is designed for married or engaged couples that want to build and maintain a healthy, Godly marriage, family and home. A $30 fee will cover registration, dinner on Friday, and breakfast on Saturday.
Childcare will be provided.
UPRISE Winter Retreat | Saturday 3/2
- Location: Bay View
- Time: 9am to 9pm
Breakfast/lunch/dinner provided. Study sessions. Devotional times. Worship. AND RETURNING: Epic Nerf Battle. Event is open to all Jr High and High School students. For more information contact Pastor Kevin at kevin@mercyhill.org.
Fervent Prayer: Health and Healing
Notice the high calling and purpose that Jesus charges our lives and prayer with. Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Matthew 6:9) Are we satisfied with our calling, and our purpose of prayer? That is, to hallow, or glorify the Father’s name.
Notice the high calling and purpose that Jesus charges our lives and prayer with. Pray then like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. (Matthew 6:9) Are we satisfied with our calling, and our purpose of prayer? That is, to hallow, or glorify the Father’s name.
When the Christian considers health and healing in one’s life, could it be that we often misplace our need for health and healing? Do we realize that our Heavenly Father has called us to, and provides much more to His children than mere health and healing?
It will do us well to consider the subsequent verse in our Lord’s model of prayer and life. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10) Because God is our Father, and does delight in His children, we have been called into living for God’s kingdom to come, and for His will to be done. Ponder this…called (chosen) by God to hallow His name in our living!
Oh, but you may think, it feels strange to me that God seeks His own glory, and that His children should be designed for that what He seeks above all other things – His own glory. But now, quiet yourself, and embrace this stunning truth: the sovereign God of the universe gives Himself to us! It is brothers and sisters, infinitely loving that our Heavenly Father calls us to glorify Him; He gives us the very best, the ultimate of all worth – Himself! And it is here that we must grasp, that the desire for mere health and healing is a superficial need for our life; health and healing must be purposed in the hallowing of God’s name. True joy and satisfaction can be found only in such ambitions.
How then should we come to our Heavenly Father for health and healing? Not at all? Hesitant? Demanding? We should come as the psalmist in Psalm 147 – knowing. The psalmist knew that it was fitting to praise God. Immediately in building his case for praising God, the fact that God gathers the outcasts of Israel is mentioned. Further, the healing of broken hearts is declared. He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3) We must come knowing that by grace, our sin broken hearts are healed! One time outcasts separated from God are now healed and the bitter wounds of sin bound up; therefore, life purposed for God’s glory becomes the Christian’s delight.
In our needs for health and healing, we come then, knowing that the sovereign of the universe has given Himself to us. We come in the joy of our rescue, in the purpose of life lived for God’s glory, and in the peace of understanding that God’s sovereignty is a banner of love over our lives.
Brothers and sisters, ask for health and healing in confidence, knowing that all you will ever need to live for God’s glory will be given to you! Pray then also, to know Him in such delight.
- By John Klein
Film & Theology: The Incredibles (Saturday 2/9)
Saturday 2/9 | 7:00 p.m. | Bay View
Film & Theology events are evenings where we watch a film followed by an exposition, small discussion of the film’s cinematic and philosophical elements. It’s a time to enjoy film with others as well as we dive deeper into what storytellers have to say through the art of cinema. At Mercy Hill, we believe God is the ultimate storyteller and within us is a yearning toward narrative; either to create or to partake.
Additional Information
Worship Experience | This Saturday 2/2
Saturday, 2/2 in Bay View
Join us for a time of worsip, prayer and reflection. We'll be serving free pizza at 6PM. Worship will start at 6:30PM. For more info contact Pastor Kevin at 262-672-9996 or kevin@mercyhill.org.
Fervent Prayer: Missions
In the modern-day American church “missions” many times is not considered an important part of the ministry of the church. There is usually some form of missions done, however, because it is a “good thing to do,” or “those poor people really need our help” or “Gee, foreign travel is exciting!” Missions is usually relegated to an add-on if there happens to be some leftover time or resources.
“Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him- to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.” Romans 16:25-27
In the modern-day American church “missions” many times is not considered an important part of the ministry of the church. There is usually some form of missions done, however, because it is a “good thing to do,” or “those poor people really need our help” or “Gee, foreign travel is exciting!” Missions is usually relegated to an add-on if there happens to be some leftover time or resources.
At Mercy Hill we often hear that we need to “be the church.” While this phrase, indeed, can entail many different aspects, being the church ultimately boils down to fulfilling the main purpose of the church which is the glorification of our God. The church exists to worship God and bring Him glory. In his book Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper states, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn’t.” And worship cannot exist except through belief in the one, true gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul establishes this throughout his message in the book of Romans. In chapter one he states, “Through him and for his names sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith” (v. 5). Then in 15:8-9, “For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy…”
Let us pray with the Psalmist, “Let the peoples praise you , O God, may all the peoples praise you. May the nations be glad and sing for joy…” (Ps 67:3) and “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Ps 96:3). Let Mercy Hill be part of what God is doing among the nations and bringing forth the message that Jesus “with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them a kingdom of priests to serve our God…” (Rev 5:9). Amen.
Jeff Luecke
Elder of Mercy Hill Church
Fervent Prayer: Justice & Poverty
Like me, perhaps you've found yourself overwhelmed by all the social media noise, social justice movements, statistics on poverty, late-night infomercials, et cetera, et cetera. We get to the point where we don't know where to start. Let our prayer be that we not worry about eliminating poverty, but that God show us where to simply start. In a very small, yet tangible way that if we have, we shall supply the need. Just as the apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church to provide for those in need in Jerusalem:
Like me, perhaps you've found yourself overwhelmed by all the social media noise, social justice movements, statistics on poverty, late-night infomercials, et cetera, et cetera. We get to the point where we don't know where to start. Let our prayer be that we not worry about eliminating poverty, but that God show us where to simply start. In a very small, yet tangible way that if we have, we shall supply the need. Just as the apostle Paul urged the Corinthian church to provide for those in need in Jerusalem:
13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness 14 your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. 15 As it is written, “Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.” - 2 Corinthians 8:13-15
When we simply put this into practice in our everyday lives instead of trying to make it some big movement, you'll be surprised at what God can do, personally, through community groups, through our church and the overall Church.
Ernie Evangelista
Elder of Mercy Hill Church
Fervent Prayer: Pray for those in our Government
We recently had a polarizing election in the United States. Who did you pray for? What did you pray? Did you pray? Did you know that those in governmental authority are placed in their positions by God Sovereignly whether they are good or evil?
We recently had a polarizing election in the United States. Who did you pray for? What did you pray? Did you pray? Did you know that those in governmental authority are placed in their positions by God Sovereignly whether they are good or evil?
Rom 13:1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
At the time Paul wrote these words inspired by the Holy Spirit the Roman Emperor was Nero, the Cesar who murdered multitudes of our brothers and sisters in Christ, the one who made human candles to burn and light up the palace gardens at night. Some years later Paul also wrote to his protégé Timothy that we all should pray for kings and all who are in governmental positions. So, what prayers did Paul exhort to be made?
1 Tim 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
FIRST, we are to pray that we might have a peaceful and quiet life. Many times throughout history governments do not leave Christ’s church free to live godly lives with dignity. Today throughout our world many of our brethren are being murdered and harassed daily by those with power in government. Did you know today there are about 100,000 thousand martyrs every year? History has repeated itself over and over again that the governments of man need to be prayed for so that people will be free to simply live our lives for the Father’s kingdom.
SECOND, while we are praying that we may lead peaceful and quiet lives we are to pray that those people in Government would be saved and come to know the Truth, Jesus. So while Nero and the Roman Empire was on their murderous rampage Paul asks everyone to pray for their salvation.
Friends, do not be deceived into thinking that there are “good” guys and “bad” guys. There is no one who is good; no one who seeks God. You and I, those in Government, everyone are either people who have been saved by Jesus from the last judgment that is certainly coming or we are people yet still condemned in our sins waiting for our just judgment. It’s no wonder we are exhorted by the Holy Spirit to pray in all kinds of ways not just for Kings and those in high positions but for all people.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 This is good and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Chris Peterson
Elder – Mercy Hill Church
Fervent Prayer: MH Ministries
The ministries at Mercy Hill, the programs, the things we DO, are simply designed to help facilitate the BEING. If the ministries of the Church become about growth or about having more ‘amenities’ at church, we’ve lost sight of our mission and what it is to BE.
1 Corinthians 5:17-21
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Matthew 22:34-40
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
If you’ve been around Mercy Hill for any length of time, you’ve heard me use our tagline, “We are not BUILDING a church- we are BEING the Church.” This is really the heart of the leadership here at Mercy Hill, but what does it mean? Simply put, we hope to be a community of faith that is:
-Consumed with the glory and magnification of Christ (Hebrews 1).
-Strong in loving service of Christ, His Church, and our community (Matthew 22:34-40)
-Actively engaging in the Ministry of Reconciliation- to the Glory of God (1 Corinthians 5:17-21).
The ministries at Mercy Hill, the programs, the things we DO, are simply designed to help facilitate the BEING. If the ministries of the Church become about growth or about having more ‘amenities’ at church, we’ve lost sight of our mission and what it is to BE.
Today, let’s pray that the ministries at Mercy Hill Church, that WE as His Church would:
-Continually exalt and magnify God, giving Him the Glory that is due Him.
-Love and serve His Church with the many gifts and talents that He has given.
-In light of have been reconciled to God because of Christ’s loving work, we would love and serve our community, so that others might also be reconciled to Him- to the Glory of God.
Fervent Prayer Week: Church Leadership
This passage, along with many others, shows the great tension found in church leadership. Elders in the church are to be people of character, maturity, compassion and courage having a responsibility before God for the spiritual condition of the church. But ultimately church leaders are like any other member of the church. They are people striving to serve as the body of Christ for the body of Christ. Far from being supermen they are simply stewards who have a responsibility to care for the church. A true leader is to be a disciple of Christ and is to follow his example to serve and sacrifice for others.
Hebrew 13:17-18
17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.18 Pray for us, for we are sure that we have a clear conscience, desiring to act honorably in all things
This passage, along with many others, shows the great tension found in church leadership. Elders in the church are to be people of character, maturity, compassion and courage having a responsibility before God for the spiritual condition of the church. But ultimately church leaders are like any other member of the church. They are people striving to serve as the body of Christ for the body of Christ. Far from being supermen they are simply stewards who have a responsibility to care for the church. A true leader is to be a disciple of Christ and is to follow his example to serve and sacrifice for others.
As such it is vitally important that we, as a church, consistently spend time in prayer for our elders and church leaders. Regardless of the area of ministry each leader is integral to the function and heart of the church. We ought to pray that God would protect the hearts and minds of our leaders; keeping them from the sin, pride, self-reliance and religiosity that can so easily distract. We ought to pray that God continues to raise leaders from within the body of Christ: men and women devoted to the Word and to the church. In all these things we should pray that our leaders fulfill their responsibilities with joy and grace as a reflection of God’s love and mercy on us. Finally, we must all consider where God would have us serve His mission. No one is exempted from the call to serve, and true leadership is service.