The biggest reason why so much confusion exists around the term “Church Leadership” today is because of the system of religion within which the bride of Christ is attempting to function. The intricate web of politics and the man-made hierarchies are suffocating the body with its pious regulations, threatening to strangle the last ounce of life from it. In contrast, the majority of people who call themselves “leaders” seem to be thriving within the system they have helped to create. The one group is struggling and the other is thriving – doesn’t there seem to be some sort of correlation here?
A Function, Not a Title
Elders, deacons, pastors and even evangelists, prophets and apostles were all meant to be functions within the church, whether they are performed in an official capacity or not. They were never intended to be titles. Yes, some of the early apostles did travel between the early churches and ordained elders (Tit 1:5), yet the function of those who lead or govern within the church is listed as a gift in the Bible:
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (1 Cor 12:28 KJVA, emphasis added)
This means that leadership is just as much a gift of the Spirit as healing. Conversely in the modern day church however, most people become leaders after completing some Bible College course or after they have jumped through their institution’s hoops long enough.
Sad But True!
In some of the traditional denominations, the preacher mainly serves two prime functions: firstly to act as the congregation’s chief moral policeman and secondly to keep the “business” financially afloat, which is accomplished by squeezing financial contributions out of the attendees. In essence, they are nothing more than branch managers for a thriving business.
There is no shepherd heart for their flock, no guarding against wolves or other predators. They will let any guy that has been ordained within the same denomination come in and preach at their church, whether they know this person or not. After all, “head office” has declared him competent, right? It doesn’t matter if this guy brings with him the poison of his own preconceived ideas or half truths. There is no or little care for relating with the other preacher personally before allowing him to attend to the flock. He’s simply given a license to come in and sow chaos, often leaving the flock bewildered and confused.
And saddest of all is that when the preachers within these denominations find a better paying position with another congregation, they will leave their own flock behind and take the “job” at the new church, handing the flock over on a silver platter to whichever predator wishes to have them next.
No wonder the world doesn’t want to have anything to do with the “church”…
Nowhere in the Bible do we find a pattern which portrays the kind of leadership system which is found in much of the church world today. Nowhere was there a centralized “head quarters” which spewed out orders and decrees to its branches. The highest recognized form of authority in any church was the local elders. The apostles traveled between these churches, exhorting them and ministering to them, but not as their bosses.
What True Leadership Looks Like
Leaders are approachable and compassionate people who love those around them with a jealous love. They lead by example, pioneering and walking out the message which they preach. Trying to coerce people into doing stuff that they themselves aren’t doing either, is like trying to push a piece of string: it’s just not going to happen. However when the leaders walk the walk (heal the sick, minister to the broken, cast out demons, care for the needy, revel in the freedom they have in Christ, etc) other people will have a natural tendency to follow them.
Leaders mostly act as facilitators only and allow people to experience things for themselves. Leaders give those around them the room to make mistakes – they trust the Holy Spirit to complete the work which HE begun in others. They allow other people to contribute to the wellbeing of the group (in whichever manner they can), to be themselves and to voice their opinion.
Leaders are secure in who they are in Christ and do not find their sense of accomplishment in how well their group is doing. True leaders are willing to get out of the way and actually rejoice when God manifests Himself through others, even if it is in a greater manner than through them.
True leaders do not feel threatened when their theology is challenged by others, but delight in remaining teachable, always willing to be accountable for what they preach. They don’t “run away” after sermons and regularly give people the opportunity to ask questions, because that’s when people grow the fastest – during dialogue! The Sunday-after-Sunday “monologue model” that is prevalent in most places creates a sense of distinction between the leaders and their flock, depicting the leaders to be unapproachable. The early church got together in their homes and ate and drank together daily, creating an atmosphere for healthy discussion and fellowship, an idea far removed from the well orchestrated shows that thousands go to see on Sundays nowadays.
