In one of yesterday’s two posts, I posed a question:
“Do you believe that human leadership in the church is Biblical? Or is Jesus our only Shepherd? Why? or Why not?”
Thanks to those of you who were brave enough to respond. 🙂 I’d like to offer my thoughts here–and actually, this will likely take more than one post, possibly as many as three. In this post, I’ll share my opinion about Biblical leadership in general. In the next, I will share some thoughts about the abuse of power among church leaders–from the perspective of a leader.
I have personally experienced spiritual abuse from leaders, and even dished it out as one myself; so I definitely emphathize with others who have experienced this, and I definitely see problems inherent in the current structures of institutional leadership. However, I must humbly disagree with those who conclude that all human leadership in the church is un-Scriptural. Before explaining why–let me start by saying I do not hold this view because I am a leader. At this point in my journey, I am in such personal place of transition and have deconstructed to such a point that I really would have nothing to lose by changing my view on this. I no longer draw my identity from any position I might hold or function I might serve, and I could easily relinquish all forms of leadership if convinced it was the right thing to do. So just in case anyone was wondering…I don’t have any personal fear of loss invested in my opinion here.
Having said that, let me clarify. I believe the clergy/laity separation is entirely un-Biblical, as is the exaltation of leaders to an elite class status. But I do not believe that this means all human leadership is un-Biblical.
Holding our current leadership structures against the whole counsel of Scripture, I personally believe the issue isn’t whether we should have human leaders, but in how leadership should be expressed. Unfortunately, the only forms of leadership we seem to recognize have to do with some kind of hierarchy–someone being “over” someone else, a “chain of command”, or something like that. We simply don’t view leadership the same way the Scriptures describe it for the church.
When Jesus’ disciples began disputing who was the greatest (essentially competing for hierarchical position), He addressed it in this manner. He warned them, “The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them…but it is not to be so with you. For whoever wishes to be great among you must be your minister, and whoever is chief among you must be servant of all.” (See Matt. 20, Mark 10.) Jesus Himself modeled this type of servant leadership by living and walking among His disciples while He led them–and then He washed their feet (John 13).
I submit that the problem with authority in the church is that we have blatantly ignored this warning of Jesus in the way leadership has evolved. The creation of a clergy class (in its various forms) has patterned itself after “Gentile” forms of leadership that tend to “lord it over” people–exactly what Jesus warned us NOT to do.
But when Jesus told us we should not call each other lord, father, or master–does that mean there is no human leadership whatsoever in the church? Again, taking the whole counsel of Scripture, and focusing attention on the New Testament and the birth of the church…I see that human leadership was definitely present in the early church. I have a hard time reading the words of Paul, for example, seeing the sometimes commanding and corrective tone with which he addressed the various churches, and conclude that those churches took his words as mere guidance and suggestion. They viewed him, and others, as authorities in their midst. Also, in Acts 15, the Council of Jerusalem addressed the question of what rules to impose upon Gentile believers, rendered a decision and communicated it. They were making their best effort to discern the will of God, but these were definitely human beings participating actively in the leadership of the church–without any evidence of rebuke by the Lord for doing so.
The apostles frequently spoke with authority, and they were recognized as leaders. Elders (the closest thing to “pastors” in the early church) were appointed and commissioned to instruct, and to correct when necessary.
So why is human leadership necessary in the church? Is Jesus not capable of shepherding His flock? And is not the function of the Holy Spirit to guide and lead us?
Of course Jesus is our Shepherd, and of course we all should ultimately be submitted to the authority of Christ–and in that regard, any human authority who attempts to usurp that God-man connection rather than enable it is acting un-Biblically. But here are some things to consider with this question:
- Throughout Scripture, God has always chosen to involve humans in what He does. He could have spoken audibly from the heavens (and sometimes He did); but most of the time, He spoke through human mouthpieces known as prophets. He did not need Moses’ help to deliver Israel from the Egyptians; but He sent him anyhow. And while Jesus does lead His church and does not need us humans to help Him–I believe He involves us in this part of what He does, as well. To me, the key is that human leaders facilitate, not replace, the leadership of Christ. It is when a leader starts trying to lead as Christ rather than alongside Him that problems start to happen.
- Leadership is functional more than it is positional. Someone is not “greater” because he/she is a leader, and authority is not given on the basis of worthiness, but necessity. It is leadership that organizes and coordinates efforts so that things get done. It is leadership that helps keep things functioning well when people are doing things together. When people were getting overlooked in food distribution, it was leadership that appointed deacons to coordinate it. When the Corinthian church was abusing the Lord’s table where some were getting drunk and others were going hungry–it was leadership that brought the necessary correction. It’s just a practical fact that when humans are doing things together, it works better when there is a point person to coordinate things.
So I think it’s overreaching to say all human church leadership is corrupt, or that we don’t need such leadership. I think it’s more accurate to say that we’ve allowed our leadership models to reflect the government systems around us, rather than a greater Kingdom. (Not unlike when the children of Israel demanded that God give them an earthly king like the nations around them.)
And as I’ll share in more detail in the next post…I believe there’s a reason why Jesus warned us not to lead like the nations around us. I believe there is an inherent danger in trying to govern the people of God by taking our cue from the leadership methods of man.
Wayward Son
Musician. Composer. Recovering perfectionist. Minister-in-transition. Lover of puns. Hijacker of rock song references. Questioner of the status quo.
I'm not really a rebel. Just a sincere Christ-follower with a thirst for significance that gets me into trouble. My quest has taken me over the fence of institutional Christianity. Here are some of my random thoughts along the way. Read along, join in the conversation. Just be nice.
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I like your statement that church leadership is more functional than positional. It’s appears to be a position because leadership usually comes with a title (pastor, shepherd, elder, deacon, etc.). But in the spirit of “one body, many parts,” it takes all parts to keep a congregation going, and one of those parts is leadership.
I’m an elder in my church. I wish there were less of that “here come da judge” hush when I enter a room on Sunday. I do everything I can to discourage that. One of my favorite sayings at church is “we’re all bozos on this bus.” Yes, sure, elders are supposed to have some spiritual maturity, but that’s relative on a human scale, and compared to God Himself we all have a great distance yet to travel.
Jeff,
That’s some awesome teaching. I agree with you. I’m looking forward to the next 2 parts.
Blessings,
Gary
An excellent post!
“Church” is indeed some sort of a strange amalgamation of the “bride of Christ” and the empire. So much, including the role of leadership, is modeled after what we find in the state and business, rather than after what we find in the pages of Scripture or even the early church.
Unfortunately, since this model has been around for a very long time, tradition trumps Scripture. I laugh when I hear Protestants criticize Catholics for the role tradition plays in their religion. I also find it hilarious when these same people criticize the Jews of Jesus time, who could not see who Jesus is because they were so wrapped up in their traditions. Has anything really changed?
Jeff,
Ah…I couldn’t agree with you more! Truly what you have here is what I believe…exactly.
Here are some of my favorites from this post:
“Of course Jesus is our Shepherd, and of course we all should ultimately be submitted to the authority of Christ–and in that regard, any human authority who attempts to usurp that God-man connection rather than enable it is acting un-Biblically.”
“To me, the key is that human leaders facilitate, not replace, the leadership of Christ. It is when a leader starts trying to lead as Christ rather than alongside Him that problems start to happen.”
“Leadership is functional more than it is positional.”
” think it’s more accurate to say that we’ve allowed our leadership models to reflect the government systems around us, rather than a greater Kingdom.”
Jeff, like you, I agree that leadership is a beautiful function and Gift that Papa gives individuals in the Body. I believe ALL of us as Believers can exercise expressions of leading, however, I definitely belive Papa gives some greater depths of this Gift and thus, they tend to do much more leading in the Body than others. I would definitely consider you given this gift, much more than I, which I think (at lease so far) I am an encourager.
Anyways, great post. Looking forward to the second.
Blessings,
~Amy 🙂
Jim,
I agree that sometimes function gets confused with position, especially in the minds of others. But sadly, there are many leaders who also get these confused. Glad you are not among them 🙂 How I long for us to return to a function-based approach to this thing, where position is not a big deal.
Gary,
Thanks for the compliment and agreement. The next installment is up now.
Sam,
Good way of putting it. And no, it does not appear as if anything has changed. Religion may wear different clothes, but it’s still religion. And IMHO, religion is one of the greatest enemies we have to true connection with God.
Amy,
I think there is truth to what you say about all of us having some potential to lead. Perhaps this is why the Scripture doesn’t just say to submit to our leaders, but to *one another*. 🙂
You truly are an encourager. Along that line, I believe myself to be an exhorter above other things.