3 John 1:9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
10 Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
Having served in small churches for most of my ministry, I know how this can happen. I can join a small church anywhere in this country and in a short time I will be asked to take a place of leadership. One reason is because I am willing to serve. I never join a church to just sit on a pew as pew sitting is not a gift of the Spirit. The main reason is that they cannot get anyone else to serve and so basically ask anyone breathing and willing.
There is danger in that because as what happened in one church the lad who came into just fill the pulpit during a pastoral search used the flaws in their documents to take over and kick out all the deacons he figured would not support him. The new deacons eventually used the same flaws to kick him out but that created a downhill slide and eventually the church closed.
Also, deacons/elders can start to take ownership especially the ones who are made deacons for life. They can become like Diotrephes loving their "power" and with that love abuse their power.
Can you imagine a church leader not letting the Apostle John come or anyone he endorsed? Wow! That is some gall! Then he even casts out people who come in not knowing the issue. Many a member or prospective member has been run off by someone in the church who thinks they have the power to decide who can stay and who cannot. Whose church is it? It is supposed to be the Lord's.
Sometimes it is the member who gives the most that uses that as a weapon to dictate what goes on. No one wants to lose that money as it may be the only thing keeping the doors open. It can be the deacon's wife calling the shots through her husband. Yes, Diotrephes' pride and control can come in both genders.
If you can make the loving Apostle John upset so that he is promising a good chastisement when he arrives imagine what will happen when Diotrephes stands at the BEMA or maybe the Great White Throne if he was not really saved! Many tares are in charge of churches and that is why we have so many splits. Often church plants are based on a Diotrephes spirit. Someone could not get the position of power they wanted so they start a church to be pastor or they start one where they can control the pastor they call.
All churches need to beware of the Diotrephes controllers, but small churches are especially in danger. Don't lay hands on any many suddenly for a leadership position. Give them a long vetting process otherwise you may lose your church or at least the church's impact in the community as these people run off anyone they feel will threaten their power. Don't look for a spirited person to fill an open position but be looking for a Spirit filled person in a position to serve.
Father, bring unity to the Body. Merge churches and stop the splitting that is opening up opportunities for Diotrephes and wolves. Root out the ones in large churches as well. Remind Your people that Your Church is Your Church, not theirs. It's mission is Your mission, not theirs. Convert tares to wheat and bring us into a revival that will not only heal Your Body, but our nation! Amen! Maranatha!
