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Leadership and the Body of Christ |
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Leadership and the Body of Christ
by: Jennifer Williams
Attention= Be sure to visit the Fellowship Board Thread "Lordship vs. Leadership" for more information on this subject
It is clear to many of us, that leaders are important and biblical in the Body of Christ. We are to be obedient and submissive. But.... is that just clearly all we need to know? I don't think so. And why is it that we blindly follow leaders without question and unwavering obedience? That is not natural, nor is it biblical. We are not to look upon our leaders as little Gods or put them up on a pedestal. We have for far too long looked at scriptures that say obey and submit but ignore what it says about leaders and how they are to act and treat people. There is a trap of pride and arragonce that can easily fall upon our leaders. They are not to be seperated out like an elite race. They are no better than anyone else and seperating them makes them an idol. We are not supposed to be addicted to outlined sermons and speech delivery. We should not get our leaders and Pastors soully from seminary. We need to get the leaders God has placed over us that have the experience, and the NATURAL tendencies to do the job and do it right. Bible School is not a bad thing. Just understand that it does not make you a Minister, Leader or Pastor. Only God can do that. You cannot be something that God has not trained you to do personally. After all, God uses the simple to confound the wise. We all need to stop trying to be what we are not. As you read you will discover that a Pastor has more to do with counseling, caring, and parenting than preaching and leading long prayer lines. I have often heard that we need to be accountable and approachable. While this is most definitely true, I must say that our leaders have an even greater responsibility to have and maintain these attributes.
Hebrews 13:7 AMP
Remember your leaders and superiors in athority (for it was they) who brought to you the Word of God. Observe attentively and consider their manner of living (the outcome of their well spent lives)and imitate their faith(their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider and Bestower of eternal salvation through Christ, and their leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.
First of all, Let's NOT discuss everyone else. What does this scripture say about Leaders? What are they? First of all, it does NOT say force yourself to be just like them, pray and beg to make yourself something that you are not. It says to imitate their faith, their trust in God, and their Love for God. This is the main thing this is communicating. It says that the Leaders brought the Word of God. This does not necessarily mean that they preached every Sunday from the pulpit and that's how you received the Word of God. We must remember that there are many ways to bring the Word of God to others. Leaders are what they are because of who they are, and who they are in Christ. They are not in leadership because someone gave them a badge of approval! They are not in Leadership because they had special training and have a certificate. Leaders are Leaders naturally by how they live their lives and how they treat others. Who would want to imitate a lying, disrespectful, presumptious, over educated, and prideful person? We must be careful of who we become. Leaders are none of these things and they do not see themselves as on a higher level spiritually or physically. They simply Love and are a good example for others.
Hebrews 13:17 AMP
Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them (continually recognizing their athority over you) for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account (of their trust). (Do your part to)Let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable for you (either).
Now, before you go into the "obey everything your leaders say", thing step back for a moment. If you think for a moment you will realize that throughout scripture the most common model used for the Church is the Family. Think of how many times you have heard the words "Bride", "Son", "Children", and "Father" when referring to Christians or members of a Body in the Old and New Testaments. What must a child, a Father, Mother, Husband or Wife do. They submit, but they don't do it without question, without understanding. A Child does not go along with everything that you say. If they disagree they are the first ones to tell you. They are also the first ones to let you know that you are wrong. A child will not do as you have requested if they do not understand your reasons and purpose. When they do, and have come to some kind of an understanding they will often do the request even if they don't necessarily appreciate the lesson. In the scriptures it also states somewhere that husbands and wives should submit one to another. In another place it says that the husband is the head of the family as Christ is the head of the Church. How is it that the husband and wife must submit one to another and the husband be the head? It's really quite simple. Through respect and through leading by example the husband becomes the head. It does not mean that what he says goes. It does not mean that the wife is less than the husband. It simply says that he is the head, or the leader. If the wife was less than her husband he would not need to submit to her. Concerning the latter part of this scripture. Using the family model, I want you to imagine the stubborn child who refuses to be obedient even though he or she knows that it is for the best. They sometimes disobey to get attention and cause trouble. They enjoy the excitement. What are we doing in the Body of Christ? What kind of child are you? How do you handle others, how do you treat the people around you? Also, there are other scriptures in the Bible that state "submit yourselves one to another" and other like phrases. I do not have room for every scripture and I encourage you to look them up and try to find them for yourself.
Ephesians 4:11-16 KJV
And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors, and teachers;
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in Love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head even Christ:
From whom the whole Body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
I think it's pretty clear that we all have a purpose in the Body of Christ. We are placed in the body to help one another. We are easily lamed and cut apart like someone who has received an amputation. I don't know personally, but I have read that someone who has had a limb or other body part removed experiences pains as though it were still there. The body experiences deep anquish over the missing piece, and the nerves never completely heal. And so it is in the Body of Christ. We are not meant to be without one another. I also took the time to research the titles used in the beginning of this passage. This is what I have found.
Apostle- Sent out, Church planter, ambassador, or commissioner with miraculous powers
Prophet-Spirit rests upon continually, foreteller, inspired directly by God, holds immediate conversation with God.
Evangelist-A Preacher (any preacher, that's all it says)
Pastors-Tends to and makes sure others are fed and taken care of. Cares for others and helps them with tender care and vigilance, looking after them like a Mother or Father.
Teacher-Instructor
I encourage you to think upon these definitions. Consider how we assume they mean something that they do not mean at all. Look at each title for what they are, and do not combine them. Now, of course, it is possible to have more than one attribute, but that is decided by God and not ourselves or those around us. God makes us who we are and we need to focus on that instead of trying to be what we think we should be.
1 Corintians 12:28-30 KJV
And God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all Apostles? Are all Prophets? are all Teachers? Are all workers of Miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak in tongues? do all interpret?
This speaks directly against anyone who puts themselves to do everything in the Church. It is not practical or beneficial for the same person to be a prophet, teacher, miracle worker, helps, and governments. It is impossible to be effective if you are trying to wear too many pairs of shoes. We must be where God has set us in the Body of Christ and respect others for where they are placed by God. We are not in one of these areas because someone needed to fill the position. God decides, not our "leaders". be who you are. I have also looked up a few of these as well and they are as follows.
Governments-those who govern or guide those in the Church. Directorship.
Helps-Someone who helps the leaders and the poor, an assistant.(notice it didn't say, toilet cleaner or anything like that. That is everyones responsibility and not pushed onto someone because they are in "helps" ministries.
Miracles-Miraculous violent, powerful, strong and mighty works.
It seems to me that we are not seeing a lot of this in the Body of Christ. We have been too busy trying to be something that we are not. We have wasted too much time trying to put our leaders on a pedestal. It is a sad occurence when we look to others more than we look to God. We must learn to hear his voice for ourselves instead of someone doing it for us. Our leaders should be leaders naturally. Leaders are not the Lords of the Church. They are simply those that are examples and offer guidance to others. Also understand that I'm not talking about waking up one day and saying "God made me a preacher, I'm going to make myself a preacher." We cannot do it ourselves. God has a way of doing things to open doors and make things happen. You will be surprised when it finally happens, and it's likely that where God puts you will not be what you expected or anticipated. God will open the doors and make things possible for the Ministry he has prepared for you. Just hold on tight and seek his face. Before you can have anything you MUST have HIM..
For Further Reading:
1 Corinthians 12:12-30
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God has given us so many gracious and wonderful gifts. This website has expanded beyond our original vision and has become a blessing to many. We will be adding study articles every month and our discussions will continue to change. We will be adding photos soon, if you would like to include a few. This website is an outreach to our family of believers around the world. We look forward to getting to know all of you. May God continue to bless you and keep you. I will be taking a break from major updates for the month. There will not be as much updates next month. I encourage you to read over and study the articles that are currently available.
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