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| Mike Hosey, Elder |
As an elder, I'm often challenged with questions about
multiple elder leadership. These well intentioned challenges come through many
avenues.
Some are from members of our congregation who are trying to
grasp this "new" way of leading. Their mindsets (like mine) are often
structured by church tradition rather than biblical example.
Others come from friends outside our body who want to remind
me of the many singular leaders in the bible, and to hint that if we don't adopt
a single human leader we're doomed to failure.
When I ask them to name one church in the New Testament with
a senior pastor, they usually respond with silence. I wonder why?
Occasionally, some contend James was the senior pastor at
Jerusalem. They might argue he gave his "sentence" (Acts 15:19 KJV)
at the Jerusalem council to settle a dispute brought from Antioch. But if I point out that the original
Greek for that word can also mean "opinion," rather than "sentence,"
there might be a disdain for my reliance on an original language rather than an
esteemed translation. So I highlight
that Paul and Barnabas didn't bring that dispute to James; they brought it to
the apostles and elders -- of whom James was but one (Acts 15:2). Then I show that
the orders resolving the dispute didn't come from James; they came from the
apostles and elders (Acts 15:23-28).
This usually settles it, but if it doesn't, I mention that Paul didn't see James as the singular
leader at Jerusalem (reference Galatians 2:1 and 2:9).
Someone might ask, "What about Moses? He was singular,
right?"
Yes. But keep in mind he wasn't the leader of a local church, but of ALL of God's people at the time. And not only this, he was a priest (Psalms 99:1-9) who approached God and was a mediator for the people. In these ways, he was more akin to a pope than a pastor. Besides, we don't need a priest anymore because we're all priests who can approach God (1 Peter 2:5,9). Finally, God has already given us both a high priest (Hebrews 4:14) and a senior pastor (1 Peter 5:4).
His name is Jesus.
It is amazing how so many people are creatures of habit/tradition. They are willing to overlook problems/issues within the church because they are comfortable. I wish more people would read Pagan Christianity or even Finding Organic Church to at least open their eyes a bit. I don't think people understand how far we are from what was intended.
ReplyDeleteHey Riz - thanks for the comment. I agree, as people we fall into habits and traditions and never examine them. We all do it. We do it in church, in our jobs, in our families, in ourpolitics. I'm afraid it's human nature.
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree that everyone should read Pagan Christianity as well. In fact, if I were a president of a seminary, I'd require it. Still, its not a perfect book by any means, and he does have a few logical flaws throughout the book, so its good to take the time to question his conclusions with as much scrutiny as he questions tradtional church practices. But it is indeed a good book, as is much of his blogging and other writings. He will certainly help you with getting a better perspective on church. And the absolute best thing he does is show us how far we are from what was intended or given to us as an example to follow.
Glad you enjoyed it!