Pope or Servant-on Church Leadership

By Uncivilized Man

In the Gospel according to Matthew there is such a statement: "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave- just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matt. 20:26-28)

Sometimes I cannot comprehend why is it that these twelve persons, who were selected by our Lord from many, and after three years' of apprenticeship with Jesus Christ, would fight for leadership during the time when Jesus announced to them that He is to be crucified? Was it the emphasis on power reflected from the prevailing culture?

"Not so with you". What a clear statement! One's thirst for power was a dangerous motivator from very early times. For over two thousand years, the church often ignored the teaching of our Lord. Often times, other than then the use of different terms and vocabularies, the nature of power struggle and the use of craftiness are the same within the church and outside the church. The only difference is that within the church, the banner of God will be uplifted and biblical references will be cited. Indeed that is hypocrisy, is it not?

Let us look at the early church. What examples have they set? The past famed preacher Ray Stedman pointed out from Paul, Peter and John's epistles, that during the founding phase of the church the apostles had clear and strong authority; yet they strive to prevent lording over the faith of believers. The most outstanding example is the one in Acts Chapter 15. When important decisions regarding Christian conduct were to be made, the church leaders seek God's guidance together, discuss and pray together on the basis, of biblical truth. Finally, as the leader of Jerusalem church James stood up and speak on behalf of the apostles; but this decision was not a personal one, but a collective decision made by the leadership team.

Stedman also pointed out that there are two scriptures often referred by those advocating centralization of authority as their biblical basis. The first is in I Thessalonians 5:12-13 "Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other." Stedman thought that the phrase 'over you' (Greek original prohistamenous) does not mean 'lording', but to lead, to stand in the front. This is the original meaning of leadership; only when someone is willing to stand behind you, then you are considered a leader.

The other place is in Hebrews 13:17 "Obey your leaders and submit to their authority". Here the Greek word for 'obey', peitho, has the meaning of 'persuade'. The function of a leader in the church is not to command others to do according to his wish, but to stand on biblical truth to persuade others. The emphasis here is not on eloquence of speech, persuasiveness, or strong will; but his conduct through his walk with the Lord, the respect he earned, augmented by the congregation's earnest desire and deed to seek the truth.

The leaders mentioned here often have a clear vision and a strong sense of direction. Therefore, some people may use the means of controlling, manipulation, threat, or passionate service to win other's support of their leadership. These are but strategies of power struggle. Such leadership style does not serve to build up co-workers or spiritual growth, rather to use others as a tool to accomplish their own agendas.

Some leaders would not let go of their authority, but hold on it tight in their hands. His concern is the development of co-workers, but the maintenance of status quo. Such persons lack a broad vision and trust towards others.

These two styles of leadership emphasized the ministry over people, and do not edify people. A ministry that emphasized upon people would provide adequate space to people so that they are not suffocated; would tolerate mistakes and allow people to learn from their mistakes. Such capacity and wisdom was clearly demonstrated by our Lord when he accepted Peter who has denied Him three times.

The ideal leader would have vision, burden, capability; and he would truly love his co-workers and set an example for them. He can stand on the foundation of biblical truth to influence and persuade others, and he would willingly accept correction from others. Among the leadership team there would be progressive people as well as conservative ones. The true leader must be able to help the leadership team to wait, to seek, and to come to a consensus.

For over forty years, the Campus Fellowship in Taiwan has been maintained as a problem-free ministry; the credit must go to the leadership style of Professor Chang Ming-Tze, a Chemical Engineering professor in Taiwan University. Although he was an elder among us, he has a servant's heart and served as teacher and friend to co-workers; he dealt with individuals depending on their personality and his deeds matched his words. Thought strict, his impeccable character set an example to others and he was well respected and loved by co-workers.

Pastor Lao Shio-Ge remembered an anecdote while he was the General Manager of Campus Fellowship. He was eagerly promoting some policies but he felt resistance from some co-workers, who did not submit to his authority. Therefore he went to talk to Professor Chang to win his support. He was amazed that Chang Buo-buo (a nickname Campus co-workers called Prof. Chang) told him, "Don't think that because of your position as General Manger you are entitled to authority. In God's kingdom, authority comes from love. You don't need authority; you need love!" (Note 2)

For over forty years, co-workers in Campus Fellowship diligently developed a quality ministry without the risk of individuals grabbing authority. This signifies the importance of the conduct of leaders and of the leadership style he established.

The popes in medieval times were called "Servant among servants", but in practice they became kings in the church. Let us note that in the church, authority should not be centered on any individual, but it belongs to Christ! The authority of the leader should be derived from Christ, and recognized by those who were led.

The object of a servant should not be ministry of organization, but God, brothers and sisters. There is only one who is your 'master'. (Matt. 23:8)

Notes:

1. Ray Stedman, "A Pastor's Authority", Peninsula Bible Church, Palo Alto, CA;1976

2. "The Shaping of a Man - Destiny, Environment, and Diligence" Memorial to the passing of Prof. Chang Ming-Tze, Light of Universe Magazine, Taipei, 1998