Who Shall Lead Us?

A few weeks ago in the Sunday morning sermon the question was asked concerning who was to lead the church and while the discussion was not specific as to a problem within the church or congregation, it was clear from the lesson how the Holy Spirit was given to lead God’s church with the passing and ascension of Jesus. One aspect of denominationalism haunting the church today is found in the question of who has the authority to make decisions for the “whole” church. In my own denomination, we have grown up to ignore the position and function of the Holy Spirit as we came to see our elders in the position of decision makers for God’s church and yet as I remember we also have been known to chastise and condemn the Catholic Church for doing exactly the same thing. Personally, I see no difference in how we (Church of Christ) view our elders and how the Catholic Church views the Pope when considering the definition below.

“The Pope, Bishop of Rome and Peter's successor, 'is the perpetual and visible source and foundation of the unity both of the bishops and of the whole company of the faithful.'

'For the Roman Pontiff, by reason of his office as Vicar of Christ, and as pastor of the entire Church has full, supreme, and universal power over the whole Church, a power which he can always exercise.” [Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition (Washington, DC: US Catholic Conference, 1994, 1997) #882.]

[Definition: “vicar”—in the broadest sense means someone who is authorized to act as a substitute or agent for a superior / compare “vicarious”—serving in the place of someone else; assuming the position, place, or office of another person]

I have never known an eldership to consider themselves as the Vicar of Christ and yet what has been taught from the earliest years of my memory is how we are to be obedient to the elders since they are responsible for our souls. Even this statement is a contradiction of belief held by most Christians who have come to believe and teach how each person is responsible for his/her own relationship to Christ.

I am not sure who I should credit with my concept of dealing with apparent contradictions in the Bible and possibly, even as I write this last statement, I am trying to ignore the influence of the Holy Spirit to guide the church in all things. (I have come to believe there are no contradictions in the Bible, but only "apparent" contradictions created by our failure to understand what is being said within any given passage." I know that I have told others who write words of encouragement and instruction along with those who preach the Word how they are definitely being guided by the Holy Spirit. In fact, I have gone so far as to make claim of men being as inspired by the the Holy Spirit to write as we give credit to those penning the letters of the Bible. This last statement goes to the heart of the subject matter of this post since we have been guilty of ignoring the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

The proof in this statement is easily found in how we have come to view the eldership of the church. I used to have a book, "Why I Am A Member of the Church of Christ," by Leroy Brownlow and when I came to discover how the "official" creed of our denomination was basically founded on this text, I decided to get rid of the book and yet I find myself referencing the book when I consider what has taken place to "sideline" the work of the Holy Spirit and replace what God has given with the will of man. Those who know me also know I am given to broad statements and so the reader should not be surprised when I claim how ALL the problems found in the church today are a result of allowing the will of man to replace the will of God.

As I consider what I remember from the book (could be much error) and since I am going on my memory at 2:40 AM in the morning, I seem to remember a section discussing the governmnent of the church. Hopefully, not to blunt, this discussion is one of the reasons I got rid of the book. Mr. Brownlow substitutes the authority of governing of the church with men. He takes the Bible and explains how the authority of men to rule and govern the church is the will of God. Excuse me for being blunt again but the men rule only when they have no belief that God rules through the Holy Spirit. We cannot have it both ways and yet our failure to believe in the power of the Spirit being active today has led us to believe we must rule or govern for God. Just like the Catholic Church, the Church of Christ must have a Vicar of Christ and our only difference is how we find this in a group of men and not just one man.

While it might sound like I claiming God did not want the guidance of His people through men we have come to call elder or pastor, I am only denying the type of guidance we have come to believe they are charged with in their position. I think 1 Peter 5:2-3 gives us an accurate picture of what these men should be to the church and is key to understanding the correct responsibility to the church.

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Taking particular notice of the last few words, I see the answer to our apparent contradiction of leadership in the church. The simple language seems to be clear as it says, don’t tell the church what to do but rather SHOW the church what to do.

Another key to understanding, what I believe to be the proper role of an elder, can be found in the passages describing the characteristics of a man selected to be an elder. (1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9) In simple terms, they are to be the most God-like men found in each “town.” I’m not sure how Mr. Brownlow justifies converting this to each congregation but I remember him doing so.

I believe the important thing to remember, however, is the godly nature of these men called upon to be elders. It makes them perfect for the role placed upon them to be spiritual leaders. God knew how our nature demands an example and He gave us men who have most closely conformed themselves into the image of Christ. We have men like this in the congregation I am affiliated with and I know of none who would even suggest them not being the men most resembling the image of Christ in our group. They are our example of the “right way to live.”

Yes, I do believe there is a right way to live even though I do not believe there is a “right way” to do church.