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crankius -> RE: Does authoritarianism belong in the church? (4/21/2008 11:54:47 PM)
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From the article:
quote:
1. Idol-worship: sinful flesh is not content with the reality of the one true God. It wants to fashion an idol in place of the invisible God who is spirit. There is always the temptation to act like the Jews of Saul's time who wanted a human leader they could see, rather than the unseen God (cf. 1 Kings 8:1-18). But God shares His glory with no man, not even "called men" who are promoted to demi-god status by their adoring flock. Such flocks too often find for themselves a man who likes to lord it over the flock. Thus a sinfully symbiotic relationship is complete with an abusive authority figure coupled to his idol-worshipping minions (Jeremiah 5:30-31).
Very early in my Christian walk, I'm certain I was guilty of this. I so much desired and adored attention from those in leadership over me. I was the youth pastor's pet, and I looked up to him and his wife. Thankfully, he wasn't an authoritative leader and was very kind and gracious, but I know it helped set a pattern for my future in church activity. It was hard for me to think that a leader could ever be horrible, or misled, or authoritative.
I was a bit taken back when I realized that not all people in church leadership could be trusted. For anyone new in their faith, it can be very difficult to discern which leadership to submit to, and how to not need a leader in the same way we need God.
It is a good thing to realize, but can be painful. Many new believers are led down a wrong road by an authoritative leader, and it can be difficult to realize the role they themselves played in going down the road by being willing to follow a man MORE than following Jesus.
Thank the Lord for the example of the Bereans. They tested Paul's words against scripture, which tells me that they had a healthy relationship with leadership.
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