The Unholy Trinity IdolatryThe Supreme Head of the Unholy Trinity By Dave Miles In helping a church through a time

of transition or crisis, weve discovered three consistent issues that effect virtually every church we serve. These three things are so consistent that we are no longer surprised when we see them. The three issues are idolatry, conflict, and the misuse of power. Weve come to call these the Unholy Trinity. The question is not whether or not well deal with them, but how. Over the next few months, Ill briefly detail what each of these issues involves and give a simple way to address it. The first issue is idolatry. We call it the Supreme Head of the Unholy Trinity because it is the number one problem we face in a church in transition. Idolatry is an attitude of the heart that replaces faith in God with dependence on something less than God (Ezek 14:1-6; Rom 1:21-25; Gal 4:8-11). It comes when a church takes some incomplete joy and builds its life and success around it. For a church in transition that could be a former pastors ministry, a certain liturgy, a program, a style of music, the way the Lords Supper is taken, even the location of furniture on the stage during a worship service. When people get reactive, especially over things that really dont matter, its a hint that youve bumped into the churchs idol. The uncomfortable thing about idolatry in a church is that its often right in front of the congregants, but they are painfully unaware of it. And for that reason, the warnings in the scripture about it are all the more important to heed. For idolatry, we are told, is the pathway to ruin! We have all been created to worship, and we will serve what we worship (Isa 43:7; Isa 1:25). So when we worship things other than God, even good things, we begin to serve things other than God. The Psalmist notes that we will take on the qualities of the things we worship and serve (Ps 115:4-8). GK Beale makes a good case that the greatest distinguishing factor in any idol is its spiritual insensitivity. We resemble, he says, what we revere, either for our ruin or restoration. (BealWe Become What We Worship pg. 311) Therefore, a church that struggles with idolatry will often be insensitive to what the Spirit is saying to the church (Rev 2-3). So what is the conscientious interim minister to do? Four things: (1) Help the church identify it. Outside of the fundamentals of the faith, what is it that creates a reaction in the lives of the congregants if its taken away? This is quite possibly the idol. (2) Help them repent of it. Because the deceitfulness of the human heart, Christians should all live a lifestyle of repentance. Changing a churchs mind about the value of the idol is part of what it means for them to repent. (3) Help them replace it. Make the main thing the main thing: Gods grace and Gods glory as seen through Christ work on the cross is the main thing. So focus on the beauty and loveliness of Jesus Christ and his work on the cross. (4) Model rejoicing in the midst of dealing with it. Its never helpful to beat up on anyone for their problems. Help a church find life and joy in the middle of addressing its problems by focusing on Christ. One can make a good case that idolatry is at the root of every sin we commit. So all of us must deal with this issue in our own lives. Therefore, grace and tact must be granted in great measure as we help a church address this issue. Dave Miles is the director of ReTurn-Creating Pathways of Hope and Reconciliation crmreturn.org