We’ve all heard the adage, “The squeaky wheel gets the grease.” It refers to the fact that, often, the person who complains or protests the loudest gets attention and service. In the world, it can be the case that a person who complains forcefully, frequently, and loudly is given priority over those who are quieter or gentler. But does this ever happen in the church? Sadly, sometimes it does.
There are two sides to this problem. On the one hand, we might have bleating sheep. Sometimes a man has learned that whining is effective in the world and automatically brings that behavior into the church. He might not even consider that there’s a more Christ-honoring way to deal with his concerns. We would all do well to remember that the Lord takes a dim view of complaining: “Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10). It is healthy for the assembly to be reminded of this from time to time, and also to have it pointed out that it is selfish for any of us to think that we have the right to voice our every concern. The saints need to be shown that, in most cases, the godly way to deal with that which bothers us is to commit it to the Lord and leave it with Him (1 Pet. 2:23).
On the other hand, elders need to consider whether or not they themselves have fallen into the trap of greasing squeaky wheels. This can happen inadvertently with the best of motives. But there is a difference between being sensitive and being reactionary. It requires no discernment to simply react to complaints.
Think of the long-term effects. If a believer discovers that being pushy gets the results he wants, guess whether he’s likely to be more or less pushy in the future. Such behavior cannot be rewarded because it only emboldens a person to press the elders about the next 99 items on his gripe list. The reward for appeasing a complainer is more complaining.
Think, too, of the effect that this has on the saints who have adopted a more godly approach to dealing with their concerns. How disheartening for them to see ungodly behavior rewarded while their quiet concerns go unaddressed. Elders need to lead; they need to protect the flock; and part of protecting the flock is standing up for those who are too gracious to stand up for themselves.
Also consider the long-term direction of the assembly. If the saints see that grumbling is rewarded, surely that will lead to more and more grumblers over time. But even more seriously, who is more likely to be in tune with the Lord and His plans for the assembly: complainers or gracious saints? An assembly that keeps listening to the former is going to move away from the Lord and His purposes step by step.
This isn’t to say that elders should automatically reject every concern that isn’t voiced perfectly. But it is saying that elders have a role to teach the saints to behave graciously. And elders should always be careful to avoid the temptation of capitulating to complainers. Thoughtful elders will give priority to the most serious needs, not the loudest. This is the example of the Good Shepherd: He always knew just which needs were the right ones to address, and all the clamor in the world could not distract Him.