Don't Touch My Sacred Cow!

Sacred cows. We all have them in our ministries.

A sacred cow is an idiom that comes from Hinduism, which worships animals. Hinduism is also known for its elevation of cows to a sacred status. In Hinduism, you do not dishonor or desecrate their sacred cows. Even today, you could be jailed or even killed for slaughtering a cow in some parts of India.

In our culture, a sacred cow is something that is considered immune from question or criticism. It is something that people hold dear and will be very angry if anyone even dares to change it or question it.

Let's call it what it is: IDOLATRY.

One more time: SACRED COW = IDOL

And sadly, this worship of false gods is very prevalent within our churches. In ministry, sacred cows are those things that are holding back the ministry, but they are not allowed to be changed or questioned.

I have seen these revered cows in every ministry I have been involved with. As a leader, I begin to feel very discouraged and powerless against them. There have been many times where a desperate change has been needed in a ministry, but I am not allowed to touch it because it is a sacred cow to someone. Most often, I am not even allowed to question it for fear of causing division. Such is the way when you try to mess with people's idols.

So then what happens? The ministry continues down the path of idolatry. And while those few people are happy they got to keep their cow, the ministry ultimately suffers in the long run. In some cases, untold numbers of people could be reached and many others would receive a blessing if changes could be made. But because of idolatry, the ministry becomes ineffective.

What is idolatry? Simply put, it is elevating anything above the status of God.

Romans 1:18-25 is a classic passage that explains WHY we fall into idolatry. The passage begins by explaining that God has CLEARLY shown Himself evident to every person, so those who deny Him are without excuse. Here is the last part of that passage:

²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Claiming to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.

Even though we do not worship physical images, we do elevate certain things above the status of God and progress in our ministries. Here is a good way to tell if you idolize something. Ask yourself, "What is something that I think can make me happy?" Now, imagine that thing was taken away from you forever. Would it make you sad/angry/depressed?

Really, the only source of true happiness is the Lord. Anything else that makes you "happy" is just a bonus. But if He chooses to take that thing away, it should not affect our happiness or spiritual walk... or ministry.

Now, what is that one thing in your ministry that the pastor, deacons, or other leaders are not allowed to touch? What is that one thing that is "fine the way it is, so don't touch it?" What is that one thing that would make you sad/angry/depressed if it ever was discontinued? Think long and hard about it. Everybody has at least one sacred cow.

Here are some common sacred cows:
- A certain activity, banquet, or conference
- A certain song or music
- A certain Bible translation
- A certain piece of artwork or decoration
- A certain holiday program, contata, or presentation
- A certain leader
- A certain curriculum
- A certain Vacation Bible School theme or program
- A certain Sunday School class

And these are all just sacred cows I have personally seen in the churches I have attended. There are many more. Are they bad things? Absolutely not. But they ARE bad things if they are idols.

Maybe none of these programs are sacred cows to you. But perhaps the WAY something is done is your sacred cow. 

Really, any of these things should be easily adjusted by leadership if change is needed. However, the leadership fears a fierce reaction from those who are enslaved to their idols.

You may be thinking, "But a sacred cow is merely a preference. It is quite a stretch to call it an idol." Well, what is the line of events that happens when a sacred cow is desecrated in my church? First, that person gets angry. They hold it against the leadership that made the decision. Then they hold animosity against said person, which is clearly unbiblical and against God's commands. Some even withhold worship or worship while harboring anger, which God despises. People can have preferences, but sacred cows are idols. 

Also, consider this passage:

for my people have committed two evils:
they have forsaken me,
    the fountain of living waters,
and hewed out cisterns for themselves,
    broken cisterns that can hold no water.
                                -Jeremiah 2:13

As this passage (and the Romans passage) pointed out, any ministry that is enslaved to idolatry is settling for something less. We could be worshiping God in His glory, drinking from the fountains of living water. But by keeping our sacred cows, we are settling for sucking water from the mud in our dark, broken cisterns.

Why hinder your ministry in that way? Get rid of your sacred cows. Our culture continues to morph and change. Our ministries must be allowed to do the same if they are going to have any hope of surviving. Dead churches have a lot of sacred cows walking around, making very few people happy. 

If your pastor were to stand up on Sunday and announce the slaughter of your sacred cow, you can rejoice. Because, hey, you serve a God who is far greater than your sacred cow!