Leaderolatry

Dr. Gilbert Bilezikian, aka “Dr. B,” was kind enough to pass along to me an article he had written last fall that deals precisely with what Frank Viola and George Barna tackle in Pagan Christianity. Not yet available online, “Church Leadership that Kills Community” was published in the Christians for Biblical Equality’s journal, Priscilla Papers (Vol. 21, No. 4, Autumn 2007).

The way we have structured our churches gets in the way of being the church community. Dr. B mentions that positive changes have come about recently, with more Christians focusing on what it means to be a community. There is still a lot of ground to cover, however, since “the prevailing models of church leadership are uncritically imported into the church as constructs borrowed from the corporate business world or from secular systems of administration” (5).

These ways of being the church are against New Testament principles for community living. Dr. B refers to Mark 10:35-45, when James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask to sit in glory at Jesus’ side. Jesus responds: 

“You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

He also references Matthew 18:15-20, where conflict resolution is performed by the congregation. Church leaders should work their way out of a job, bringing communities to levels where they are able to, for example, resolve conflicts: “the basic job description of church leaders is to develop the self-leadership potential of the congregations they serve” (5). Later, Dr. B writes, “This is the authentic function of leaders: to develop and release the leadership potentials inherent within local congregations” (6). Leaders should make themselves “dispensable enough to slip away quietly to different fields of ministry” (6). 

In the epistles to the churches, no appeal is specifically made to church leaders; instead, the communities themselves are encouraged to take on responsibility. Dr. B discusses Ephesians:

Apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers do not represent functions of executive leadership in the body. Their task is only supportive. The executors of the work of ministry and the persons responsible for building up the body of Christ are the “saints,” that is to say, the congregation. The leaders are there to equip, support, train, and encourage the congregation to perform ministry. Again, the mission of leaders is to develop congregational leadership. It is not top-down control but bottom-up empowerment. 

The guidelines in I Timothy and Titus are, according to Dr. B, exceptions for churches, ones that are in unusual, crisis situations. The New Testament preference is still a grassroots, whole-congregation-involved model. Unfortunately, many evangelical churches today suffer from “leaderolatry.” Being a Christian leader is not based on authority, but rather “instruction, exhortation, and persuasion” (6). Leadership isn’t singular—it’s plural: “There is no model in the New Testament for the one-pastor church” (6). Dr. B reminds us that Paul, Timothy, and Titus were not pastors. Rather, they were temporary advisers to local communities. According to the New Testament, church leaders demonstrate authentic leadership by developing replacements for themselves (7).

I thought this was a very thought-provoking article, since it’s hard for me to imagine our churches being set up any other way. It did help me, though, since Pagan Christianity made me wonder how communities would have access to biblical and theological resources. Since a one-pastor church isn’t the model, I wondered about no longer having a seminary-trained leader who gets to specialize in a lot of things that are unavailable to laypeople. And I don’t think embracing this New Testament model of church structuring is a negative for vocational pastors. I think it would be a positive change, since I’ve seen families in ministry that live in a fishbowl and on a pedestal--almost unable to be themselves. Churches have a lot of expectations and put a lot of burden on their pastors and their pastors' families, so moving towards bottom-up, community-oriented leadership may be healthier.

Comments

[Art]

natalie,

I see that you got a hold of Dr. B's article. Unfortunately, I don't think American pastors will willingly give up the authority, especially the CEOs of the megachurch. In the late 90s, some of these folks hanged on to every word Jack Welch (former CEO of GE) said. So WWJD takes a new meaning. Instead of What Would Jesus Do, it was What Would Jack Do? As a result, successful churches are run more like corporations. And when big churches become successful, many small churches may try to ape the success.

Take a look at this essay called "Liberating the Schoolhouse",
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/20080430_liberating_the_schoolhouse/. You'll find similarities to what you just blogged.

[J.]

Where can I get this article? The sequel to Pagan Christianity comes out in August. It's supposed to deal with what a church based on the New Testament looks like including its leadership. You can read some about it here http://www.ptmin.org/answers.htm

[Kris Anne]

Natalie, I highly recommend Margaret Wheatley's book "Finding our Way", when you are looking for another book to read. She describes leadership as reminding people of who they are, rather than telling them what to do. HOW REFRESHING! Thanks for passing along the thoughts from that article. I'll be looking for it, and looking forward to reading it.

[Natalie]

Art, thanks for sharing that article...I found this quote interesting:

"top-down control dominates our thinking about management because of the widespread belief that it is the only guarantee of discipline and order. The belief is so deeply etched in the Western psyche that all other possibilities are occluded."

Then, "centralized control makes it impossible to sustain change because the only learning that takes place is at the top of the organization and everyone else simply follows orders."

CBE

J, Here's a link to the Christians for Biblical Equality's webpage about the Priscilla Papers.

I noticed the sequel to Pagan Christianity and it looks like a good read! It's good to know Viola is not only deconstructing the church, but also suggesting alternatives.

Kris Anne, I checked out the book you recommended on Amazon.com and was surprised to find a leadership book that discusses community...I haven't read a lot of books on leadership, but it seems like an uncommon--and much needed--approach. Hmmm, I'm wondering if I can squeeze this one in before August?!!

[Natalie]

Argh I still haven't figured out how to put links in comments!!! Anyway, here's the CBE webpage about the Priscilla Papers:

http://www.cbeinternational.org/new/membership/ind_family.shtml

[art]

natalie,

regarding the quote you mentioned, i am inclined to disagree that top-down control is etched only in the western mode of thinking. i think asians are top-down as well. i don't recall seeing a collaborative model of leadership when i was growing up in the Philippines and in its Chinese subculture.

i am more inclined to believe the article's Norman Mailer quote:

"Mailer says that democracy cannot be injected into a society that is not ready for it, adding, “I think the natural state of government for most people is fascism.” Asked why, he replied, “because it is easier.” "