Have we made the church into an idol and the church leaders into gods?
Why do we have the mindset that Christian ministry that is worth its
weight must be done within the church, under the correct doctrinal
leadership?
Why do we believe "different" is "wrong"?
When did doctrine and church theology become gospel?
When did church leaders become the voice of God? Doesn't God speak to each of us?
"God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the
fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoke to us by His Son,
whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the
worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of
His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He
had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the
Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has
by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they" (Hebrews
11:1-4, NKJV).
In the past, God has spoken through prophets - through other people -
but now God speaks directly to us through His Son. What, then, is
prophecy and teaching today?
The Bible speaks of spiritual gifts. Some are given to be prophets and
teachers. Some are given to be pastors (shepherds of the flock). But
does our Americanized concept of leadership taint what these gifts
really mean? According to the Bible, the gifts God gives He gives to
every believer. Each gift is of importance and should be used within
the "body of Christ."
"Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord
is. And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be
filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of the Lord"
(Ephesians 5:17-21).
I see nowhere in this Passage that says we are to make the word of the
pastor or leader our god. I see that we, as followers of Christ, are to
speak to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. This does
not necessarily mean we are to stand at the front of the church
sanctuary and "lead" worship. We have gotten so caught up in
"leadership" that we have forgotten how to speak to one another in
psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. We trust so much in the "prophet"
or "pastor" or "teacher" that we no longer know how to discern on our
own what the will of the Lord is. We forget that God does speak to us
through His Son. We are chosen by Him, and He communicates with us
directly. So often, even Christian colleges and seminaries that are
training pastors and teachers spend as much time on leadership
techniques and denominational doctrine as they do on teaching the
Bible.
"For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he
will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one
shall bear his own load. Let him who is taught the word share in all
good things with him who teaches" (Galatians 6:3-6).
God does not show favoritism to "leadership" or those in "high position"
or "high standing." He expects everyone to take responsibility for his
own work, to share what he has been taught with others who teach.
The idea of "leadership as we see in Christianity today is not
necessarily a Biblical concept. Paul kind of did away with this idea
with his household code in Ephesians 5:22-6:9. In an age where male
dominance was prevalent, Paul taught that not only should a wife respect
her husband, a husband should love his wife. Not only should children
obey their fathers, fathers should not provoke their children or give
them burdens that they could not bear. Not only should slaves be
obedient to their masters, the masters should remember that they also
serve the ultimate Master, who does not show partiality based upon
classes. What a concept!
Imagine how things may change if we, as American Christians in 2014, took this concept to heart!
