Which of the following is a correct quote?
A) To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons:
B) To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with
the senior pastor and staff:
C) To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with
the bishop and priests:
(See Philippians 1:1 if you are not sure.)
A)
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the elders of the church.
B)
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the senior pastor and other
staff of the church.
C)
From Miletus, Paul sent to Ephesus for the priests and nuns of the
church.
(See
Acts 20:17 if you are not sure.)
A)
The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of
double honor...
B)
The senior pastor who directs the affairs of the church well are
worthy of double honor...
C)
The priest who directs the affairs of the church well are worthy of
double honor...
(See
Timothy 5:17 if you are not sure)
By
now most have you have it figured out – in every case the correct
answer was “A” and the Biblical text referred to churches who
have a plurality of leaders called elders who led the people and
directed the affairs of the church. And if you thought the list above
was kind of long and repetitive, it wasn't nearly as long as it could
have been – there are many Biblical references to churches being
led by elders!
Which
begs the question, how many verses are there in the Bible that talk
about churches being led by a senior pastor, a priest, a reverend, or
any of the many other titles we give the head church leader? None.
Nada. Zero. Zilch. There aren't any. Not even one. Heirarchical
top-down dictatorship is not the Biblical model. Not even when it is
modified by democratic processes such as elections and church boards.
The overwhelming evidence is that God intended for His local churches
to be led by a plurality of leaders called elders who were apostles,
prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who led the people,
taught the Word, and directed the affairs of the church.
The
Biblical evidence is so overwhelming and the concept is so simple to
understand, why don't we do church leadership the way that the Bible
tells us to more often? In most other areas of life – in our
morals, our marriages, our behavior – we look to the Bible to be
our guide and tell us what is right and what is wrong. Why don't we
do the same when it comes to church leadership? Why do we insist that
churches ought to be led by one man (or woman) when plural leadership
is so clearly called for in the Bible? Plural leadership is seldom
exercised for a variety of reasons, but here are three of the most
common reasons given for ignoring the Biblical pattern for church
leadership:
1)
“It's always been that way.” We have been doing the current model
of church led by a senior pastor/priest/reverend for centuries. Whole
denominations are built on a top-down power structure and it would be
very difficult to re-organize everything to a plural leadership
structure where decisions are made by consensus and the leading of
the Holy Spirit (as in Acts 15).
2)
“I might lose my position.” If denominational structures were to
change, men and women currently in power might have to share their
authority or even step down from their position. Full-time paid
positions held by a few might turn into part-time or volunteer
postions held by many. Full-time senior pastors and full-time
professional staff might be replaced by a team of teachers, worship
leaders, administrators, and helpers. Those in charge of the status
quo have every reason to maintain the status quo.
3)
“Plural leadership would never work.” Many sincere church leaders
simply believe plural leadership would be too messy – too many
meetings, people wouldn't get along, decisions wouldn't be made due
to lack of agreement. There is a certain amount of wisdom to this
view, but it is man's wisdom that comes from being in adversarial
meetings where egos and agendas rule the day and the Holy Spirit,
prayer, and Biblical values are ignored. Plural leadership worked in
the book of Acts and is working well in many churches today,
especially in churches that understand servant leadership and are
committed to moving together in love and unity.
So
with so many people aligned against plural leadership, why should we
bother to bring it up? Why contend for change? Because it is
Biblical; it is the way God intended churches to be. We ignore
Biblical truth to our own peril; many churches are weak today because
they are led by one or two paid professionals who spend more time
trying to please their customers rather than pleasing God. We have
bought into a consumer model of church where a select few do all the
work while everyone else sits around and votes on their performance
with their feet and their pocketbooks. Success is measured in terms
of finances and attendance rather than lives being changed or God
being pleased.
We
must get back to Biblical church if we are to have any hope of being
the Body of Christ that God intends us to be. As long as one or two
people are calling the shots and a handful of people are doing the
ministry, the majority of the Body (80%? 90%?) is sitting idle, doing
very little for God, failing to be the light of the world or
ambassadors for Christ. This silent majority may go to church on
Sunday or watch on YouTube but they are not being an active part of
the Body of Christ and the Body is weaker because of it.
Let's
Pray Together... Lord, I
want to be an active
member of the Body of Christ, not a spectator. I
know others feel the same way; help me to encourage others to be
active members of the Body and not just spectators. Help me and my
church leaders to make room for everyone to participate and be a part
of Your Body. Give me and my church leaders wisdom in how to make
changes that would make our local church body more in line with the
plural leadership model that is described in the New Testament. I
pray for these leaders now that I bring before you... (continue
praying as you feel led)
This
devotional is authored and published by Randy Brockett. All
publishing rights are reserved but readers are encouraged to repost
(please include this copyright info) or share
his insights with their family, friends, and congregations. For other
devotionals by Randy, see www.blesseddisciples.com,
dwellinchrist.blogspot.com, and www.discoverbiblicalchurch.com.
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