I heard a novel church growth idea last weekend. It involves incorporating a bit of Survivor into the church. Every year, the church staff would be allowed to huddle and vote somebody out of the congregation.

Now, wouldn't that be a great idea? Working at our denominational headquarters, I've heard gobs of horror stories over the years about laypersons who are either control freaks or just downright carnal (sometimes both). They hold back their church from flourishing, and frustrate and discourage every pastor who comes along.

My Dad encountered such laypersons in probably every church he pastored (five of them). He was savvy enough to handle them, but young ministers get eaten alive, and sometimes end up leaving the ministry.

I think there have been times when, if it came to a vote, I might have been the one voted out. Dad too, during his layperson days (right, Dad?). With Dad and me, the problem is that we are deeply involved in the church, care deeply, and yearn for the church to prosper. But lots of problem laypersons just want to exert control over what they consider their fiefdom. And in some cases, they are just carnal, unspiritual folks who, in actuality, are controlled by Satan.

I wish the good laypersons in more congregations had the backbone to stand up to these bad laypersons. But we don't like making waves in the church, and it seems easier to change pastors than to deal with a treacherous layperson. Somehow, the spiritual folks need to step up to the plate. Otherwise, their church ain't going anywhere.