When Wolves Invade, Shepherds Must Protect (Part 1 - The Cause)

A wolf can infiltrate a congregation in countless subtle ways. By his mere presence, he builds a following among those who lack discernment and are easily deceived.

The subject of wolves infiltrating churches to undermine and attack pastors is rarely addressed. Not every person who opposes a pastor is a wolf - certainly not! But when we fail to identify a wolf despite clear evidence, we invite danger into our midst and allow disaster to draw near.

Drawing from my own experiences in ministry, this two-part article aims to explain how wolves work and describe some of the personal spiritual challenges that arise both in the moment and in the aftermath.

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The 2012 movie The Grey, starring Liam Neeson, presents a bleak and ultimately nihilistic story. The main character, Ottway, survives numerous wolf attacks and outsmarts several clever ploys, becoming the last man standing in his group. However, in the end, he realizes that the wolf pack has been strategically herding him toward their den all along. The wolves turn out to be more clever, devious, and intelligent than Ottway could imagine.

Expect wolves in the church who are equally, if not more, clever and devious, wielding superior intelligence and an even greater capacity to manipulate. Those who attack the church are called wolves in God’s Word for a reason.

In Acts 20:29, Paul assures the Ephesian elders of what will come: “I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock…” We should expect the same.

These wolves terrorize and cajole, flatter and attack, and are equally satisfied devouring their victims during their first encounter or after a prolonged pursuit. The sooner they can take down a pastor or a church the better, but sometimes the longer game leads to an even sweeter victory. Either result is a win for them.

The Ways of Wolves

A wolf can infiltrate a congregation in countless subtle ways. By his mere presence, he builds a following among those who lack discernment and are easily deceived. He carefully affixes small hooks in many people by various means. He keeps those hooks attached with thin yet durable thread until he needs support.

When that time comes, he tugs on all those threads at once and you see a sub-group of congregants suddenly acting in ways uncharacteristic of who you know them to be, revealing that they have been under a strong yet subtle spiritual deception, sometimes for years.

I’ve seen this happen and the cost is steep for the congregation and for its leaders.

Shepherds at War

Wolves are relentless and this constant affliction painfully affects a pastor’s soul. Even as a shepherd of the flock, you’ll second guess your calling, your gifting, your competence. Wolves sense uncertainty like fresh blood. They pick up the scent and move in for the kill. They may be patient, clever, and even polite, but they will show no mercy when the time to kill arrives.

You will be at war. You are a shepherd with sheep to protect and that staff is in your hand for a reason. These predators approach and often outmatch you in ways you couldn’t have imagined. They are masters of deception, wielding their weapons of spiritual warfare with precision. And you must face them down and repel them - or die trying, all for the protection of the sheep.

And many of the sheep will not thank you. Many, even most, of the sheep will be unaware. Some of the sheep will wander into the realm of the wolves anyway. Some will align themselves with the wolves. A handful will even become wolves themselves and join the fight against you.

You will write Psalms of lament.

You’ll ask God, “Why?”

You’ll plead desperately for vindication.

You’ll understand the imprecatory Psalms in new ways.

This is like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. It’s every dreaded outcome at once. It’s more emotional pain than you think you can bear. But you can bear it because God will sustain you and teach you through it. He alone can bring blessing from this misery.

I’ve seen him do it; he did it for me.

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If you are a pastor, pastor-to-be, or ex-pastor who desires to pastor again, please contact me. I am happy to walk with you on the journey, offering wisdom and insight based on my experience. Follow this link to my contact page.

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Michael Krahn is a pastor, the husband of Anne Marie, and the father of Madeleine, Olivia, and Sophia. Make a connection on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.