There are certain ways of ‘making it’ as a leader in Christian circles. There are certain, almost expected, ways for church leaders to attain a desirable level of respect and honour.
Let me guide you through the process, step-by-step:
- Establish a teaching ministry where there is distance between yourself and the people that you’re teaching. The distance gives your hearers the impression that you have a complete grasp of your subject, and that you don’t need their help in practising what you preach.
- Allow yourself to be made an example for others in terms of your successes—how people have come to the Lord through your ministry, or whatever success it is.
- Gladly accept honoured treatment from other Christians—when they are introducing you as a speaker, for example: “So-and-so spent 14 years doing such-and-such, during which time his congregation grew significantly in numbers and maturity. He’s well-known as a speaker, and has vast experience in the area about which he speaks to us this evening.”
- Make the most of honourable titles, depending on your particular tradition—Father, Reverend, Worship Leader, Pastor …
I wonder if this process is not out of the ordinary among Christian leaders. And I wonder if Jesus Christ is displeased.
In chapter 23 of Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ intention seems to be to train and prepare his disciples for life as the new leaders of the people of God. In verses 1-12, Jesus contrasts the leadership style of the Pharisees and Scribes with the style that he has in mind for his disciples. So he talks about ‘them’ and then talks about ‘you’. The ‘them’ section (Matt 23:3-7), sounds rather like the process outlined above for ‘making it’ as a leader in Christian circles:
- Create distance between yourself and the people you’re teaching: “They command heavy burdens, but don’t lift a finger themselves” (vv.3-4).
- Allow yourself to be an example of success: “They do all their deeds to be seen by others” (v.5).
- Gladly accept honoured treatment: “They love the place of honour at feasts and synagogues” (v.6).
- Make the most of special titles: “They love to be called rabbi by others” (v.7). But now look at the “you” section (Matt 23:8-11):
But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ. The greatest among you shall be your servant.
The New Testament does envisage leadership and order within Christian churches, but it never uses terms like ‘dynamic anointed leadership’, or ‘the Very Honourable Right Reverend’. It uses terms like ‘servant’, or ‘elder’, or ‘shepherd’. It’s a way of reminding ourselves that all of us are under the leadership of one Lord, Jesus Christ.
Jesus goes on in Matthew 23 to pronounce seven “woes” against the scribes and Pharisees. The woes indicate that the root problem of these faulty leaders was hypocrisy—they weren’t what they appeared to be. God’s word was on their lips, but they were hungry for power in their guts. Phylacteries (boxes with Bible verses in them) were strapped to their foreheads, but disobedience was on their minds.
Don’t we Christian leaders face the same temptation today? We are tempted to conceal our struggles with a competent façade. We long to be admired for our devotion, but can lack integrity when we’re alone. We are willing to serve in a lowly situation, while quietly waiting for an ‘upward’ career move—to a better location, a bigger church, a more ‘influential’ position. It is somewhat frightening that the Christian leadership approved by Jesus is ruthlessly humble. Jesus hates hypocrisy. He hates it when we long to be seen as strong or competent, hiding the fact that we need others’ help to stay on track as a Christian. He hates it when we allow people to glorify our successes as if they really were our successes. He hates it when we are fooled by the use of honourable titles.
We need a radical view of leadership—one like what Jesus provides in Matthew 23, and embodies in his own life of service. But let’s make sure we don’t take this too far and disregard the value of leadership altogether. The issue, of course, is not whether we should honour Christian leaders, but that leaders should not seek honour in the eyes of men and women. Leading matters, but it is conducted by loving servants, rather than lording professionals.
Some of us ‘leaders’ may need to repent, and ask God to change our two-faced souls. Can we find in Jesus Christ not only our salvation but also our model of leadership?
