Pondering the Church Part 3
02/04/09 22:06
The question I have posed in the other two articles on the condition of the church is why is there so much heartache, pain and disappointment in the church? I have written about the expectations we bring into the church with us that are all unstated but are the filters through which we judge the church. There are more reasons than this, which create heartache and pain in the greatest institution in the world.
The next cause of disillusionment is the God-given gift of leadership that is inherent in everyone. When God created man He gave him dominion to rule and organise the earth. This gift was given to all mankind for all are created in His image. As in the corporate effect of Adam’s sin so the corporate impartation of leadership. Man forfeited incredible capabilities when he chose self over God. His confidence was replaced with fear and a preoccupation with self-protection. Rather than move in the original commission man became obsessed with covering himself. The role of leader over the creation had been abdicated but not revoked.
When the God given gift of leadership was used it was used abusively as Jesus pointed out in the book of Matthew. He said the gentile leaders lord it over the people, but not so with us, we are to be a servant of all. The attitude in kingdom leadership should be one of caring for the welfare of others, be it people, animals or the earth. It shouldn’t be for plunder and self-gratification that has no regard for who it hurts in the process.
This gift is activated within people, as they become believers in the risen Christ. Suddenly men and women who have shown absolutely no ambition for promotion or responsibility in any capacity want to have a say in leading the church. Paul addresses this phenomenon in Philippians when he says there shouldn’t be any selfish ambition found amongst us. Its selfish in that it often is about self-promotion and place rather than service. Christians want a say in how everything is being done in the church. What they aren’t saying is they want things done their way.
It is bittersweet in that it is the gift of God being restored but unfortunately expressed the same way, as it would be in the world system. Worse yet are those who have some leadership in the world system who then bemoan the fact that clients listen to them but the church doesn’t. The bible says we shall no each other by our fruit, not our wisdom or power. Out of frustration these people exhibit behaviour in church meetings that they would be absolutely embarrassed by if they did it at the office. Some denominations seem to have tried to accommodate this by having assembly governed churches where every decision has to be passed by the corporate body. They tie the hands of the church in administration and endless meetings.
The essential problem is the model of leadership we use in the church. We have a few in charge of everything and constantly create bottlenecks in our effectiveness. The model says to lead you must lead in the church and the ones who do this are the pastors/clergy. The need to protect your place can limit your ability to hear an idea or opinion that is contrary to your own. It can create a “them and us” division within the fellowship. When “Us” wins, the “Them” are deeply hurt and rejected. The followers are often hurt too, as they are victims of the power struggle, being pawns to be drawn away or to the various leaders who are exhibiting selfish ambition.
As long as we embrace a very small narrow view of church and its structure we will have pain and disappointment. As believers we need to expand our understanding of the church and the kingdom of God. The scope of our leadership was never meant to be restricted to that ecclesiastical form that meets on Sundays. The kingdom of God is supposed to be a daily reality in our lives. We are the light of the world Jesus said in Matthew 5 so let our good deeds shine forth. Let’s open the arena of our influence (leadership) to more than what we presently call the church.
Its time for a revolution of goodness spurred on by the people of God. The foundation and cornerstone for this revolution is prayer. Only prayer can change a heart and goodness knows we all need our heart changed. Don’t condemn those who work within the system. Pray for revelation to set leadership free. When people hear from God, change is easy.
The next cause of disillusionment is the God-given gift of leadership that is inherent in everyone. When God created man He gave him dominion to rule and organise the earth. This gift was given to all mankind for all are created in His image. As in the corporate effect of Adam’s sin so the corporate impartation of leadership. Man forfeited incredible capabilities when he chose self over God. His confidence was replaced with fear and a preoccupation with self-protection. Rather than move in the original commission man became obsessed with covering himself. The role of leader over the creation had been abdicated but not revoked.
When the God given gift of leadership was used it was used abusively as Jesus pointed out in the book of Matthew. He said the gentile leaders lord it over the people, but not so with us, we are to be a servant of all. The attitude in kingdom leadership should be one of caring for the welfare of others, be it people, animals or the earth. It shouldn’t be for plunder and self-gratification that has no regard for who it hurts in the process.
This gift is activated within people, as they become believers in the risen Christ. Suddenly men and women who have shown absolutely no ambition for promotion or responsibility in any capacity want to have a say in leading the church. Paul addresses this phenomenon in Philippians when he says there shouldn’t be any selfish ambition found amongst us. Its selfish in that it often is about self-promotion and place rather than service. Christians want a say in how everything is being done in the church. What they aren’t saying is they want things done their way.
It is bittersweet in that it is the gift of God being restored but unfortunately expressed the same way, as it would be in the world system. Worse yet are those who have some leadership in the world system who then bemoan the fact that clients listen to them but the church doesn’t. The bible says we shall no each other by our fruit, not our wisdom or power. Out of frustration these people exhibit behaviour in church meetings that they would be absolutely embarrassed by if they did it at the office. Some denominations seem to have tried to accommodate this by having assembly governed churches where every decision has to be passed by the corporate body. They tie the hands of the church in administration and endless meetings.
The essential problem is the model of leadership we use in the church. We have a few in charge of everything and constantly create bottlenecks in our effectiveness. The model says to lead you must lead in the church and the ones who do this are the pastors/clergy. The need to protect your place can limit your ability to hear an idea or opinion that is contrary to your own. It can create a “them and us” division within the fellowship. When “Us” wins, the “Them” are deeply hurt and rejected. The followers are often hurt too, as they are victims of the power struggle, being pawns to be drawn away or to the various leaders who are exhibiting selfish ambition.
As long as we embrace a very small narrow view of church and its structure we will have pain and disappointment. As believers we need to expand our understanding of the church and the kingdom of God. The scope of our leadership was never meant to be restricted to that ecclesiastical form that meets on Sundays. The kingdom of God is supposed to be a daily reality in our lives. We are the light of the world Jesus said in Matthew 5 so let our good deeds shine forth. Let’s open the arena of our influence (leadership) to more than what we presently call the church.
Its time for a revolution of goodness spurred on by the people of God. The foundation and cornerstone for this revolution is prayer. Only prayer can change a heart and goodness knows we all need our heart changed. Don’t condemn those who work within the system. Pray for revelation to set leadership free. When people hear from God, change is easy.
