Abusing The Role of Leadership

Hebrews 13:17  Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

The modern day interpretation of Hebrews 13:17 has been used by many to establish a domain, power base, and/or denomination within the religious community.  This cannot be the intent of the scripture if we consider the fact that Jesus spoke against a  group who came in the early church for the purpose of establishing a type of rulership within the church. Revelation 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  The Nicolaitans is representative of a group who established power bases within the church  for the purpose of lording over Christ church. In Revelation Jesus declared his hatred for this group.  The interpretation of the Word of God based upon our perspective is subject to error, especially when we use it to bend the will of the people for self-promotion. Understanding the Word of God teaches us that the perspective must always be that of the author.

In many churches, Pastor worship has overshadowed the true worship of God. Many of us are buying into promises made by pastors, typing "Amen" on the social media, expecting a financial reward and God is not honoring these promises.  The fear of God has been set aside and the fear of the pastor have come full circle.   A proper reading of the scripture will not support the thesis of some man ruling over Christ church.  The new pastor of the church that my community was instrumental in building many years ago came through the appointment of the state bishop.  He proclaimed that God sent him there and he has the mandate to act as he sees fit.  The death of the founding deacon and a younger deacon was seen by him as God moving these people out of the way so he could have full control of the church. How profane. A friend preacher of his with the audacity to insult stood in the pulpit and threaten others with the same fate if they didn't support the level of incompetency presented by their pastor.     

The desire to be a leader, even the proclamation of being a leader does not make one a leader.   The desire to be a shepherd, even armed with the proper credentials does not make one a shepherd.  Using the scripture to validate that whom God call he qualify, is a moot point when the calling is in doubt.  Even for the Bishop there are guidelines set forth.  Titus 1:7  For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.  These guidelines have been cast aside as more and more people began to enjoy the title of Bishops and proclaim themselves to be prophets of God.  Jesus, as well as Paul, expressed their dread of false prophets. Mark 13:22  For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. Galatians 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: In the formative years the church was concerned about salvation, the church of today is working the entertainment programs, collecting money, the children of God is led back into bondage and the saving of souls is an afterthought.   

What does the scripture really mean when it says, "obey them that have the rule over you.'  First, this scripture cannot be explained or interpreted by one whose desire is to establish a power base and lord over the church.  The reference here is to the religious teachers, and not to civil rulers. The church were to show them proper respect, and submit to their authority in the church, so far as it was administered in accordance with the precepts of the Saviour. The obligation to obey does not, of course, extend to anything which is wrong in itself, or which would be a violation of one's conscience. The doctrine is, that subordination is necessary to the welfare of the church and that there ought to be a disposition to yield all proper obedience to those who are set over us in the Lord.

And submit yourselves. That is, to all which they enjoin that is lawful and right. There are, in relation to a society,

(1,) those things which God positively commanded--which are always to be obeyed.

(2.) Many things which have been agreed on by the community or church as needful for its welfare--and these are to be submitted to unless they violate the rights of conscience; and

(3.) Many things which are, in themselves, a matter of no express Divine command, and of no formal enactment by the church or  community. They are matters of convenience; things that tend to the order and harmony of the church or community, and of the propriety of these, "rulers" in the church or community and elsewhere should be allowed to judge, and we should submit to them patiently. Hence, in the church, we are to submit to all the proper regulations for conducting public worship; for the promotion of religion; and for the administration of discipline.

For they watch for your souls. They have no selfish aim in this. They do not seek "to lord it over God's heritage." It is for your own good that they do this, and you should, therefore, submit to these arrangements. And this shows, also, the true principle on which authority should be exercised in a church. It should be in such a way as to promote the salvation of the people, and all the arrangements should be with that end. The measures adopted, therefore, and the obedience enjoined, should not be arbitrary, oppressive, or severe, but should be such as will really promote salivation.

In Paul's time,  the rulership of the churches was retained by the elders.  Elders denoted those who were seasoned through wisdom and age, thus elders of the church did not necessarily denote members of the clergy.  Also during the early church years, the church was an intricate part of the community, not a building or assembly set aside by a particular denomination.  Therefore, church rulers we members of the community and they ministered to the needs of the community.    

As they that must give account. To God. The ministers of religion must give account to God for their fidelity, for all that they teach, and for every measure which they adopt, they must soon be called into judgment. There is, therefore, the best security that, under the influence of this solemn truth, they will pursue only that course which will be for your good.  That they may do it with joy, and not with grief.  Not sighing, or groaning; as they would who had been unsuccessful. The meaning is, that they should so obey, that when their teachers came to give up their account, they need not do it with sorrow over their perverseness and disobedience.

For this is unprofitable for you. That is, they're giving up their account in that manner--as unsuccessful in their efforts to save you--would not be of advantage to you, but would be highly injurious. This is a strong mode of expressing the idea that it must be attended with imminent peril to their souls to have their religious teachers go and give an account against them. As they would wish, therefore, to avoid that, they should render to them all properly honor and obedience.

The interpretation of Hebrews 13:17 is often used to suppress the people of God and bring them into bondage. (Galatians 2:4)  Often our resolve to question the wolves who come to us in sheep clothes with credential, is tempered by and indoctrinated belief that whatsoever or whosoever proclaim to be of God is of God.  1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.  The world, even the church, and community is being overrun with leaders.  The emergence of multiple leaders or the proliferation of the role of leadership has created a divided platform.  This platform must be reconciled in order for the organized church to regain its once held status.  There are community leaders and church leaders whose objective is to stir up a type of dissension or hatred for the purpose of establishing a separate church, power base and/or to enhance their self-proclaimed position.  

How can the organize church, a fragment body, a divided house reconcile itself through the fragmentation  that it has suffered for more than one thousand years?  How will this be reconciled within the Kingdom of God?  Will there be a segment of baptist angels and a segment of pentecostal angels.   Maybe there are other guidelines in place that determine who is saved and who is not. Is it possible that much of the doctrines and professions will have no value in the Kingdom of God.  These are the issues that the organized church must resolve in order to reclaim the light that Jesus threaten to remove in the book of Revelation.