The Myth of Church Leadership (5)

Contrasts between

Followers of the Lord Jesus

 and

Church Leaders

1. Their call/appointment:

       -followers of the Lord are called/appointed by him to follow him.
         “Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.”  Matt.4:19

       -church leaders are called/appointed by a denomination, a school,
         a ministry or a congregation to lead them.   (God does not call
         anyone to church leadership!)  As in Samuel’s day, the desire for
         mortal leadership among God’s people is a rejection of God’s leadership.

1 Samuel 8:4)  Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, 5)  And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. 6)  But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. 7)  And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. 8)  According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. 9)  Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them. 10)  And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king…..19)  Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; 20)  That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

  

2. Their necessary credentials:

     -followers of the Lord Jesus only need …

                - a willingness to follow and obey the One who has called them

                  John 2:5)  His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he
                  saith unto you, do it.

                - a willingness to humbly serve those to whom He sends them.

                  Matthew 20:25-28)  But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye
                  know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over
                  them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it
                  shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among
                  you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief
                 among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man
                 came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give
                 his life a ransom for many.                                             

               - there is no gender monopoly on following him.

     -church leaders must:

                                    first be instructed/trained/educated in the beliefs and
                                    practices of the group they will lead,

                                   second be tested/questioned/investigated in order to
                                    prove their proficiency in explaining/teaching the beliefs
                                    and practices of the group they will lead,

                                   third be in possession of written documents (diplomas,
                                    ordination certificates, letters of commendation)
                                    verifying that authorities recognized by the group they
                                    will lead are satisfied that they are qualified to lead.    

     - church leaders (generally) must be males!

To be continued....