In recent months I have encountered an idea that gives credence to the age-old adage that as Christians we should never judge other individuals; NEVER. The problem with this sentiment is that it uses the word “judge” to condemn any kind of differentiation or attempt to hold someone accountable for their behavior. It has even been used to discourage any kind of standard to which people might be held. It is simply unscriptural.
To begin with, Jesus did not mean that we should never draw distinctions or make evaluations of people’s behavior. Jesus’ command comes in a context where he assumes that we will make judgments. This discourse, known as The Sermon on the Mount, is a seminal piece of Jesus’ teaching. Jesus says:
“Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get.” (Matthew 7:1–2)
Four verses later, he says we should not “give what is holy to dogs or throw our pearls before swine,” It sounds to me that we are to make judgments about who are dogs or pigs; not very flattering.
In the same chapter, Jesus tells people “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:15–16).
Here, Jesus tells us to evaluate the character of people by observing their behavior and then take appropriate action. To be sure, we are to keep in mind the warnings of the rest of the sermon and make these evaluations with humility and care, but we are to make them nevertheless.
Paul also tells people to make judgments about people. Notice the advice he gives the people of Corinth:
I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral persons— not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since you would then need to go out of the world. But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother or sister who is sexually immoral or greedy, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber. Do not even eat with such a one. For what have I to do with judging those outside? Is it not those who are inside that you are to judge? God will judge those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”
(1 Corinthians 5:9–13; emphasis added)
Paul is very clear that if there are people in the church who are committing open sin, they are to be confronted. By the way, Paul was not contradicting Jesus!
Later, Paul gives specific guidelines about who can be considered acceptable as leaders in a congregation (1 Tim 3:1-7). He says that those who violate the guidelines should not be considered for leadership in the local church. The next verses show that these guidelines extend even to lay leaders of the church.
Paul says nothing about the person’s standing before God or their salvation. He simply says that people who have been haphazard about their lives and business should not be considered for leadership in the church. I assume that people who had shown repentance and demonstrated a change of heart could be considered.
In our present context it is necessary and even judicious to make evaluations of people who are placed in leadership in the church. We already do this with our church’s Safe Sanctuary policy when we run background checks and reference checks. In deed, every candidate for ministry on our conference submits to an in depth background check and a battery of psychological evaluations, in addition to the rigorous theological and biblical examinations they go through. If candidates can not demonstrate readiness for ministry, they are not allowed to continue.
The examinations have nothing to do with a person’s standing before God, they are simply the standards a person must meet to work with our vulnerable populations or to be ordained ministers in our denomination.
Likewise, when it comes to leaders in our congregation there should be certain standards as well. A person in a leadership position should be a member of the church and striving to keep their vows of membership. They should be on board with the mission and vision of the church and involved in worship and discipleship. They should also demonstrate their commitment to the church through regular giving.
Why? A sports team would never allow a person to play who did not show up at practice, work on their individual conditioning and lived in a manner that casts dispersion on the team. If those things can be expected of athletes who do little to promote the well-being of the planet, why would the church of the living God expect less?
When we establish standards it does not mean that we are judging anyone, it means we care about the results we want. If we want teams and committees in our church that help us carry on the mission of the church, why would we put people on those who show no interest in contributing to that mission?
We serve a God who is infinite in mercy and love, but God also cares deeply about justice and righteousness. God does not care about one set of ideals or the other, but both of them. And God seems to indicate that we should care about those things too; with ample doses of humility and love.