Correct Use of Authority
In The Church
A Call to Godly Leadership
Written by: Ted Parks a servant of Jesus Christ
Introduction
As I share this message I have a heart of love for the leaders in Jesus’ Church. I am not here to judge anyone. If I did I would be judging myself since I fall short many times of being a Godly leader myself. I continue to repent as the Holy Spirit speaks to my heart on being a Godlier leader. As God has spoken this message to my heart He has also showed me that He wants it to go out to leaders. The more we walk according to God’s teachings about Godly leadership, the more blessed the work will be. I love to repent, since through repentance comes freedom and an abundance of God’s grace. God loves His leaders and His sheep and wants them both to walk in the fullness of His grace.
As we read scripture we often see that the ways and thinking of this world are different than God’s. If the Church does not continually cleanse itself from worldly thinking the thinking of this world will gradually or sometimes quickly creep into the Church. We must regularly challenge our thinking to make it line up with the teachings of the Bible. The Church should reflect the life of Jesus, but so often we see much of the Church reflecting more the teachings of this world system. I have seen this tendency so often when it comes to the use of Spiritual leadership.
I now live in a country that came out of a very high control type of government and that also culturally has a very strong control oriented leadership. This seems also to be true in Jesus’ day. He said in Matt. 20:25 “But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them.” How do leaders in your country use their authority? Do you see this same view of authority reflected in the Churches view of authority in your country?
My heart is broken as I see, not only in the country where I live but also in many other countries, this high authoritarian form of leadership creeping into the Church! Jesus was clear as He taught on this area. In Matt. 20:25-28 we read “But Jesus called them to Himself, and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” In this world rulers may lord it over and exercise authority over those under their authority but Jesus said “it is not so among you”. In God’s kingdom, those who are in Spiritual authority are called to serve and to be a slave to those under their authority. Jesus was our example as He says, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” As I share this message I have chosen to use much Bible scripture all taken from the New American Standard version.
Christ centered leadership Serves in Humility:
When I was a young believer my heart was very opposite of what Jesus taught. I would continue to exalt myself in my heart and thought I was one of the greatest Christians on earth. I couldn’t have been further from the truth. Because I was so full of pride, it was very limited on how God could use me. I would have visions of stadiums full of people coming to hear about Jesus, and would think it was because of how great of a preacher I was. I would see myself leading a megaChurch with tens of thousands of people. There is nothing wrong with stadiums full of people to hear about Jesus or with mega Churches. The problem was in my heart. With all this I was exalting myself in my heart. I wanted to be great before people. Therefore God sent me off to clean toilets so that He could teach me His idea of greatness. He also had me do many types of ministry that would require me to serve without any recognition. I was learning what God said in 1 Peter 5:5,6 “You younger men, likewise, be subject to your elders: and all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time.”
The mother of James and John brought her two sons before Jesus and asked, “Command that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right and one on Your left.”(Matt. 20:21b) She was seeking greatness for her sons, which made the other disciples indignant and triggered Jesus’ following teaching on true greatness. I shared this scripture earlier but will share it again. To His disciples Jesus said,” You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them,” (Matt. 20:25). This was the world systems view of authority and Jesus could see that this view of authority was also among His disciples. Jesus went on to teach about true greatness as He continued, “It is not so among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many,” (Matt. 20:26-28). Jesus was the greatest that ever lived. Yet He came to serve us and to die for us. He humbled himself to the lowest level and died so that we can live.
I have had the opportunity of visiting many Churches around the world. In one of those Churches in a very spiritually blessed country, I saw the leader’s chair up on the platform looking similar to a King’s throne with a normal chair next to it for the other person to sit. The Spirit of God was grieved within me and the Spirit began to show me the problem there of pastors exalting themselves high above the people. I have learned latter that the exalting of leaders is also the cultural view of authority in that country. Jesus dealt strongly with the religious leaders of His day who loved to exalt themselves before the people. Jesus speaking, “And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places, and being called by men, Rabbi. But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted,” (Matt. 23:6-12).
Just as Jesus was about to go to the cross and die He taught and demonstrated to His disciples a very important lesson on true leadership. To do this Jesus, “rose from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself about. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded,” (John 13:4, 5). Washing people’s feet from the dirt that had accumulated from the wearing of sandals was the job of the lowest person or servant in the household. This is something a leader and teacher would never do. It was to below them, at least according to the world view of leadership. Yet Jesus had a Godly view of Spiritual authority that He was trying to teach and model to His disciples. That is that the greatest of all will be the servant of all and that Godly leaders are to humble themselves before those they are serving.
When Jesus came to Peter, Peter refused to let Jesus wash His feet as Peter was thinking according to this world view about greatness and leadership. With this world view, a leader and teacher would never be allowed to wash his disciple’s feet. This would be unheard of. Yet Jesus was not teaching and demonstrating this world’s view but God’s view of true leadership and authority. This was more than just washing feet. Jesus was trying to show them a servant leader’s heart. We as leaders are to humble ourselves and our heart before those we serve.
After washing the disciple’s feet, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you,” (John 13:12b-15). Let us look at this picture. Here Jesus, who is the greatest teacher ever and the only Lord, humbled himself to the lowest level of servant hood as their example, showing that they also must humble themselves before one another and serve each other. Jesus was getting ready in just a short time to humble himself even greater and die on a cross like a common murderer, though He had committed no sin, so that we could have eternal life. He has washed our feet with His blood. The ultimate of humbling oneself and serving those He is Lord of.
In Phil. 2:3-11 we see this shared so clearly. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
When we humble ourselves before each other and take on a servants heart there will be no room for selfishness and vain conceit. With this we are to regard one another as more important than ourselves, which is the heart of Christ Jesus. Jesus went from the highest exalted point in heaven and came down to earth in the form of a body. What a sacrifice to have to suffer the things that we suffer in the body. Then to be rejected, mocked and beaten by those whom He created. Though we had turned from him He became our servant and died for us. Humbling himself to the lowest level. Therefore God highly exalted Him above all! What a lesson for us. Jesus is our perfect example of true leadership and greatness; just the opposite of most of the world’s view of greatness and authority.
As Jesus said in Matt.23:12, “And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Let us humble ourselves before one another and serve each other considering others more important than ourselves. This was Jesus’ example for us, let us walk in it.
I remember hearing a report about the first missionaries that went to Africa. They had such a strong call from God and such a concern and love for the people of Africa, that they put aside their own personal interests and plans in order to see these people reached with the Good News of Jesus Christ. The average lifespan for a missionary to Africaat that time was about two years due to sicknesses that their bodies were not accustomed to, but they went anyway, knowing that they had about two years to accomplish their work. They laid down their lives so that those who had not heard would be able to hear about Jesus. They were not focused on building their own personal kingdom with a name for themselves. They were unknown in the eyes of men but they are heroes in the eyes of God! This is the type of serving out of love that Jesus was talking about.
True leadership does not Lord it over or Control the sheep!
The Bible continually exhorts us to not Lord it over the sheep. We look again at Matt. 20:25-26a where Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It is not so among you…” Again in 1 Peter 5:3 we read, “nor yet as lording it over those allotted to your charge, but proving to be examples to the flock.” God has not given leaders their authority in the church to run the lives of the believers. All believers have one Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ. When a leader places himself as lord over the sheep he takes Jesus’ place in the sheep’s lives, which is a misuse of authority! We are not the sheep’s Holy Spirit or Lord. It is not our job to make the sheep submit. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to motivate the sheep and to get them to respect and listen to our leadership.
I remember the words of a very successful pastor of a large church in theUSA. He said that the thing that causes the biggest problem among Christians today is the need for control. “We want to be in control of our lives, in control of our situations, and we want to control other people’s lives.” Jesus is Lord, not us, and we need to give control of our lives, our situations, and other people over to God. God will do a better job than we can ever do!
Leaders in the church have spiritual authority to direct the affairs of the Church and to watch over the sheep. The sheep are to respect and listen to their Leaders. Yet, it is not the job of the leader to make the sheep submit or to run the lives of the sheep. We as leaders are called to serve, love, model, teach, encourage, exhort, protect, honor, give guidance and direction, and etc., but we are not called to lord it over the sheep. The great change agent and motivator is the Holy Spirit. We are to trust God to bring the change in the sheep and to motivate them to submit to our authority in the areas where God has given us authority. Leaders often try to use Hebrews 13:17 to justify an unquestioned obedience to them. “Obey your leaders, and submit to them; for they keep watch over your souls, as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Heb. 13:17. Yet, this scripture does not teach such an idea. The Greek word here translated ‘obey’ means to obey as one is convinced of truth. Another way to say it is ‘be teachable’. The idea of respecting your leaders is also shown here. Leaders likewise are to respect the sheep in the same way.
In Ezekiel’s day there was this problem of leaders trying to make the sheep submit. Ezekiel writes in 34:4, “Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and with severity you have dominated them.”
Another form of control or ‘Lording it over’ that can be in the church is through false teaching on authority. This will open the door for spiritual darkness in the church. One of these false doctrinal teachings says that the leaders of the church can say yes or no in any area of the sheep’s life and the sheep must obey or they will be in rebellion against God. This false doctrine further clarifies that if the sheep believe that God is leading them differently than their leader concerning their personal lives and faith, they are still to obey their leader (rather than what they believe is God). This is a misunderstanding of church authority and the leader is taking Jesus’ place as lord in the lives of the believers. We are called to make disciples of Jesus; not of ourselves. The Bible is the authority for all doctrine and the sheep are to be taught to be lead by the Holy Spirit. The church leadership is responsible for giving guidance to the sheep in any needed area of the sheep’s lives, but the sheep can and should reject any guidance that is contrary to the Bible or God. Of course, the church leadership does have authority to say yes or no concerning the direction of the church organization, (there are exceptions due to different forms of decision making processes in the church), but not in directing the personal lives and faith of the sheep. God will often speak to the sheep through their spiritual leaders. Any believer who is not willing to listen to their church leadership on what they have to say and to carefully examine on whether it is from God is not wise and will often miss God’s direction.
Lastly I would like to look at some more examples of the use of control that I have seen in my life time. These include the use of high pressure salesmanship, appealing to ungodly motivations for doing things, control methods, the use of witchcraft or occultism, and yelling and screaming at people in order to control.
I went to hear a man preach that had been used greatly in a Church to bring revival; thus I was told. I went with expectation. The message was excellent and very challenging. Yet, when it came to the alter call the man became very high pressure in his appeal. The pressure was so strong that I am surprised anyone was able to resist going forward. The Holy Spirit is able to draw people to Jesus without our high pressure techniques. The Spirit of God was weeping inside of me. Why do we allow this type of thing in the Church and often times even applaud it. This is of the flesh and though it may help produce the desired result, it will not bring about true fruit from God. The end does not justify the means.
I can’t tell you of all the times I have seen methods being used to motivate people to do things that totally appeal to a persons desire to be lifted up before people or a desire to please people and not be rejected. This is often used as a way of raising finances. I have heard a leader proclaim that anyone who gives a gift of a certain amount or over, their names will be engraved on a plague and put in the entry way for all to see. I have also heard of buying a pew. For anyone who gives a gift of a certain amount or over, their name will be engraved on a pew. Jesus said in Matt. 6:3,4, “But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will repay you.” The list is long of ways people have used to raise finances that are directly opposed to the teachings of Jesus. These methods are also used in order to get people to do things for that organization or person beyond giving finances. Though it is not usually openly said, the idea is that what ever is bringing the best result is the way to go. Many of these methods have been copied from this world’s system rather than taken from the Bible.
Another thing that I have often seen is leaders yelling or screaming at the people as a way of motivating them. I have seen this mostly coming from the pulpit as a preaching style. I am not referring to the unction that comes from the Holy Spirit which is very necessary. Unction comes from the Holy Spirit where as control methods of yelling and screaming at people come from the flesh and are detestable to God. I have also heard of people being put in a chair and the leaders of the church yelling and screaming at them in order to get them to repent of a sin or of not obeying their authority. Many times, those who are the recipients of control methods will find themselves being gripped with fear and/or experiencing confusion of the mind. Fear of man and confusion of the mind are not from God but from the enemy. May Jesus purify His Church of all the worldly methods that have crept into it so that we may shine forth Jesus in every way.
Last, but not least is an area of control that I have experienced and have often seen but have less understanding of, which is the use of the occult to get things to happen the way one wants it to happen. In many parts of the world the use of the occult to control people or situations is common place. This would include witchcraft. In 2 Chron. 33:6 God speaks of an evil King who reigned over Israelat one time saying, “And he made his sons pass through the fire in the valleyof Ben-hinnom; and he practiced witchcraft, used divination, practiced sorcery, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, provoking Him to anger.” My opinion is that most Christians who use these methods have no idea that what they are doing is from the occult. Though being disguised as a form of prayer, I know of a church that has declared words against other churches in order for those churches to collapse or become smaller so that their church would become the biggest and main church in their city. They also had some motives coming from bitterness and jealousy. This is sending curses against other works of God and is a form of witchcraft. I have had Christians, though not often, who have wanted me to make a decision in a certain way and in order to do this have called upon the occult. I do not believe they had any idea that they were using the occult to accomplish their purpose but rather thought that they were calling upon God. Satan likes to work through deception and if he can get us to think that we are using God’s methods when in fact we are using his, he can bring great darkness against believers from other believers. We need to ask God to open our eyes to anything that is not of Him so that we can walk in all purity and holiness.
Just because methods are working does not mean they are acceptable to God. Many methods of this world may work and produce the desired result but as said before, the end does not justify the means. The means must be Godly and then the fruit will be true and pure. The Bible will show us the methods that are of God verses those that are of the evil one. If we venture away from the Bible for truth about God and His ways we will be traveling down a dangerous road and will leave the door open for much deception. Praise God for the wonderful gift of His word in the Bible!
God is extremely concerned and weeps for His sheep. A good leader is a great blessing to God but those who abuse the sheep will have to give an account before the Lord Jesus Christ. Let us give an account with joy and not with shame.
Godly leadership recognizes Jesus’ place of authority in His Church:
Jesus is the one in charge and the leaders are to direct as Jesus decides. Just as Jesus did only what He saw the Father doing, the church leader is to do only what he sees Jesus doing. In John5:30Jesus says, “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.” That should be the heart of the leader, to not do his own will, but the will of the one who called him, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the head of the Church and the only one that can truly cover a believer. The church leader is not the head of the Church and can not spiritually cover the sheep. The church organization is also not able to cover the sheep, only Jesus can cover them. In Ephesians 1:19b-23, we read, “These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.” In Corinthians 11:3 we read, “But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ.” In our lives we have many God given authorities, and we are to obey and submit to those authorities in their God given realm of authority. We have the Bible as our authority for all truth. We are called to obey all governmental authority. At work we must obey our bosses. At school we need to submit to our teachers. Children are to obey their parents. In the church, we are to obey and submit to our church leaders.
In looking at church leadership, since that is what we are talking about, the sheep are called to obey the leadership in their respective area of authority unless to obey would mean they would have to disobey Jesus. Jesus is a higher authority than the church leadership. If I must choose between obeying my church leaders or obeying Jesus, I must choose to obey Jesus. If I am asked to go contrary to the teaching of Holy Scriptures, I can not. When the disciples were asked to stop preaching the Gospel they replied in Acts 4:18-20, “And when they (the religious leaders) had summoned them (the disciples), they commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said to them, ‘Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather than to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard.” God will always be the highest authority in the Church and what He says goes above all else. Jesus is the head and all other authority is under His authority. If I go against Jesus in order to obey my spiritual leaders, not only will my leader have to give an account before God, but so will I for not listening to Jesus. Jesus Christ is the head of His church and that place he will not give to another. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and all things have been given under His authority!
Conclusion
The ways of this world are very often very different than the ways of God. We must continue to cleanse ourselves from the ways and thinking of this world and take on the mind of Christ Jesus. We see this very clearly in the way church leadership is carried out. Jesus taught that His leaders are to humble themselves and serve the sheep. Leaders are not to lord it over the sheep and try to make them do what we want through control, deception, or any other ungodly means. When the church leader is submitted to the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the church he will be able to lead others to submit to Jesus’ Lordship in their own lives. Jesus is the head and covering for the Church and the Church is His body. His reign will be forever and ever amen!