Another View on Leadership (guest post)
February 25, 2008 – 5:56 pm - By breakingmyfall
Editor’s Note: The following was an excellent response to my comment on “Pastor? What Pastor? “. I decided to make it a guest post of its own… unedited. Thanks… who ever you are, this is exactly what I was asking… a little long for a comment, but very well done. - Derek
Okay, perhaps a little more clarity on my last statement…
1. “Elders make all the decisions” That statement was made simply by the fact that the Pastor/Elder(s) have been given the role of leading the “flock”. They are the ones that have been “called” by God and are held accountable by Him.Let’s look at the role of the elders.Acts 20:28 says:Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.”Bishops” (overseers - KJV) - episkopos - to oversee,to make sure the job is done correctly”Feed” - poimaniw - Lit. to shepherd, this is to be done through biblical principlesThe Pastor has been called to “oversee” and “feed” God’s sheep. Therefore, the direction of the local church needs to fall under the leading of them.
Hebrews 13:17 states:
Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.
“Rule” - hegeomai - to lead, preside over, govern
“Watch” - gregorew - to watch, to be attentive
The Pastor/Elder(s)are held accountable for the actions of the church. So again, this would further make a case why the decisions would need to be make with/through them.
“Take care of the church of God” (1 Tim. 3:5)
epimeleomai - to care for , to make provisions for.
Being a Pastor is not an easy job, it’s one which comes with great responsibility and accountability through Christ Himself.
2. “Deacons do a lot of the work” - Please read that again carefully, because I never said that Elders don’t work, I simply stated that Deacons do.
Many people view deacons as a “Elder” or “Overseer” of some type. And not that one couldn’t be both at times, but that is typically not the case.
Deacons are servants.
“Deacon” comes from diakonos
A deacon is a willing servant, one who does freely what he is assigned to do.
Some have falsely assumed that the elders have the oversight over spiritual matters of the church and the deacons have the oversight over the physical matters of the church. However, as it has already been stated the pastor/elder(s) have oversight over all pertaining to the church.
Deacons may be put in charge of an item, but the elders are still responsible, they are still the ones that are held extra accountable, they still have the oversight.
Acts 11:27-30 states:
And in these days prophets came from Jerusalem to Antioch.
Then one of them, named Agabus, stood up and showed by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine throughout all the world, which also happened in the days of Claudius Caesar.
Then the disciples, each according to his ability, determined to send relief to the brethren dwelling in Judea.
This they also did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
The deacons did the work, but went through the elders.
3. “Everyone else can share their opinions, but only to the individual elders.”
If you start letting sheep leading sheep, then you will have problems. However, each member is extremely important to the church. Their opinions are highly valued, but need to go through the church leadership as they are the ones who again have been “called” by God to “lead”.
1 Corinthians 12:14-21 states:
For in fact the body is not one member but many.
If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?
If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
And if they were all one member, where would the body be?
But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.
Each individual member makes up the body of the church. They all have different “roles”. The Pastor/Elder(s) role it to lead. The deacons role is to serve. And everyone else fills the other ministries that are needed to make a church effective (sunday school, evangelism, worship, cleaning, etc…).
I wouldn’t call this “fascist” Christianity, I call this “Biblical” Christianity.
Because He Lives,
- NG
5 Responses to “Another View on Leadership (guest post)”
In Heb 13:17 According to Strongs, the word used for “rule” more properly should be “lead” since ruling implies political governing or lordship. This kind of ruling is specifically denounced by Jesus in Matt 20:25-28. The balance between leading people without lording over them is a difficult task. The prescribed biblical method is to have a plurality of leaders. General examples are found where elders are nearly always referred to in the plural [1 Timothy 5:17, Titus 1:5]. Other examples include when major decisions were needed, the elders came together to discuss and debate the issues so that the will of God could be diserned [Acts 15]. Having a single Pastor/ Elder/ overseer as a solo act is not supported in scripture, and is dangerous if left unchecked. I think the “facist” remark on the other post was related to the statement that regular people (dumb sheep if you prefer) are only allowed to share opinions with their pastor. That is absurd and down right scary. It must be a joke.
By jmorton on Feb 27, 2008
“I think the “facist” remark on the other post was related to the statement that regular people (dumb sheep if you prefer) are only allowed to share opinions with their pastor. That is absurd and down right scary. It must be a joke.”
If the opinions are ones that will affect the church and it’s body, then yes it should go through the Pastor/Elders since he/they are responsible for the local church as God has called them to be.
Dissension in a church often occurs when people “Share their opinions” freely with others without going to the leaders first.
This usually creates gossip, misunderstandings, etc…
And let’s just understand, when I say opinions I don’t mean “I think the Patriots should of won the superbowl” It is in reference to opinions that are vital to the ministry of the church.
And yes, I think the patriots should of won the superbowl.
By breakingmyfall on Feb 27, 2008
I’m not sure that Christians discussing ideas among themselves is dangerous since we know that iron sharpens iron. I think as long as the discussion takes place with Biblical authority in place there is nothing to fear. I believe there to be liberty on certain views (ie holy days, food, ect. Rom 14 ). Since no one has “perfect doctrine” I think it’s safe to say that differences will occur. We are all unified in Christ and called by God to be His children. His word serves as our authority and I do think the elders should discern what is worth defending and what is simply iron sharpening iron. Now if there is a movement to replace certain unchangeable doctrines (ie who Jesus is, salvation, ect) with heretical views than I would say there are wolves among us. Peace.
By Anthony on Feb 27, 2008
to breaking my fall your verse acts 20:28 you say the paster/elder has been give the roll ect.. then you switch the term elder to pastor which the verse doesn’t say the pastor is called by God to shepherd the flock, also the verse says elders are the overseers doesnt mention the pastor finialy the slite of hand you say ,to oversee to make sure the job is done correctly….. [wide open to debate] you say feed poimaniw i believe is a verb to shepherd however this should refer back to the elders and doesnt mention the pastor or pastors however you switch the term and state the pastor has been called to oversee.. however in this verse the Holy Spirit called the elder[s] to oversee and shepherd the church . i finish in agreement with your final statement that the direction and leading of the church should fall under them as long as them are those the Holy Spirit in acts 20/28 are the elders.
By wag on Mar 8, 2008
my question is; is the leader[s] of the church the final authority or does the final authority rest in the body of belivers with the word of God. it seems to me the deposit of faith was left in apostolic authority of the scriptures.if therefore we have absolute leaders claiming absolute authority then the word of God ,the priesthood of the believer,the command to test all things have been abandoned creating protestant popes, which many are; i do feel compassion for those who end up in the [pastorate] tring to function as every person’s jesus , with the false division between clergy and laity there is always a disconect between the church body and the [pastor]sadly this should not be; however, the corporate mentality of the ceo [ pastor] and board of directors [ deacons] and stock holders [,church] forces this mentality on the church thereby grieving the Holy Spirit and denyng the priesthood and gifted ministry of the belivers…
By wag on Mar 8, 2008