Early in my pastoral ministry I had one congregation that was led by raving liberal laity, who did not want to hear the Bible preached. They would actually do things during worship service to interrupt the preaching, and even became abusive and violently cussed-me-out in the parking lot one Sunday. During the previous four years in Bible college I had ministered on the streets, college campuses, in coffee houses (during the volatile sixties) and bars, as well as working with truckers and seamen who were too macho for salvation, so I was not shocked or intimidated by the words, actions or threats of these board members.
Since my D.S. (Methodist Church) was liberal (shock), he actually sided with them (double shock). I held my ground with these enemies of the cross, because I was fighting darkness in order to share gospel light. In fact, in this particular church there was a very good response among the youth and college age children of these God haters. These young adults were returning to church, paying attention to my messages and showing an interest in the Bible. And remember, this was the sixties, when liberalism/modernism (anti-Christianity, anti-Bible, anti-morality) was running rampant in the academic world. There were also un-churched and unsaved people in the community who were coming to hear the gospel. But the Christ haters and the D.S. were determined that I would be moved out of that parish at next conference time.
Those people had so much hate for me and the message I preached that they were willing to rob their neighbors of the salvation of God... actually willing to rob their children of the message of salvation (Mt. 18:6-7). Through the years I have seen that darkness still hates light (Jn. 3:19). Sadly, the darkness gets thicker as the church gets sicker (1 Tm. 4:1-2; 2 Pe. 3:3)
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