Dead Wood Among the Branches
by Jack Behle
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 11, November 30, 1983
The teacher tenure law in our state protects teachers against being dismissed arbitrarily after teaching in a district for five years. In fact, it is very difficult to fire a tenured teacher, no matter what the reason.
The law was designed to give academic freedom and promote quality education, but all too often, it has been abused. Once some teachers make tenure, they think they have it made. They have sort of a once-saved-always-saved mentality. They are no longer conscientious. They tend to cause more disruption when things don't go their way. They do just enough to draw a paycheck and escape insubordination, one of the grounds on which they could be fired.
Charles McGehee, in the Chronicle of Higher Education, May 12, 1982, speaks of the dead wood that has been allowed to remain on faculties due to abuses of the tenure laws. He classifies this dead wood into the following types:
- Unsure: These teachers may actually be sure within themselves yet refuse to admit it. They constantly seek one more proof and, therefore, do very little.
- Ignorant: These may have some knowledge of their specialty, but they seem unable to relate it to the rest of the world.
- Inept: Teachers who never want to leave the area of their own specialties. They fear making a mistake.
- Scared: These are unsure of where they are going. They fear that their goals may not actually be worthwhile and don't want to take anyone else there with them.
- Tired: These have been sure, knowledgeable, capable, and fearless. Now they are just tired. These need some motivation.
Application to the Church
Many concerned Christians wonder about the apparent lack of growth. We plan "campaigns" to promote growth, but the problem may be that there is just too much deadwood among the Lord's branches. If everyone did exactly as I do, would the vine be all deadwood?
One way the Lord described His relationship with His followers was as a vine and branches (John 15:1-4). The same types of dead wood seen on school faculties can be seen among these branches, perhaps for the same reasons. Maybe we think we have tenure.
The unsure profess belief but are not really bold enough to take a stand. Like Peter, when confronted, these decide to deny (John. 18:25-27). They constantly want a little more knowledge, a little more proof before they will go teach another. Like Thomas, they want to see the marks in Jesus' body to be sure (John 20:24-29). They are not really ready to give an answer for their hope (I Peter 3:15). They need to be as sure as Paul in II Timothy 1:12.
"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."
The ignorant really don't know enough to teach others. Whose fault is that? The parents, elders, preachers, and teachers might share the blame, but the responsibility for knowing belongs to each of us (Hebrews 5:12). The word was written for our learning and belief (John 20:30-31; II Peter 3:1-2). Are these anything more than dead wood who will not learn the word of the one they profess to follow?
The inept do not handle God's truth rightly (II Timothy 2:15). These could do more damage than good as they try to teach others their misconceptions (Matthew 23:15). Besides destroying themselves, they lead others to be lost (II Peter 3:16). These must practice using the truth aright. Let them practice, exercise, and learn under the watchful eye of someone more skillful (Hebrews 5:13-14).
There are more scared than want to admit it. These know whom they have believed, have practiced, and learned, yet they fear failure. Someone might show them up. Once again, pride gets in the way. These need to remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). God doesn't require more than we can deliver. If rejection occurs, it is God being rejected, not some man. They need to remember Paul's words in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things in Christ which strengtheneth me."
Finally, there are the tired. These have been faithful, courageous, skilled, knowledgeable, and sure. Now they are just tired. They have been at it too long and number too few. But they need to be reminded to keep on trying. Like Elijah, they should not think they stand alone (I Kings 19:14-18). Remember Galatians 6:9:
"Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
Jesus continues in John 15:5-7 describing our relationship to Him as a vine and branches. He says the dead wood will be collected and burned. We don't want to be fuel for that fire. To escape, we need to get nourishment from the vine. Feed on the word of God (Matthew 5:6; I Peter 2:2). Learn the word of God and learn to use it. Grow in zeal. As Paul said in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." Teach it to another who can teach it to another (II Timothy 2:2).
Remember, there is no tenure in Christ. Don't be complacent. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).