Abusing The Role of Leadership Part #3 of 4

Revelation 3:15-19 New International Version (NIV)

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Continuing in our series  of abusing the role of leadership, the prophet Isaiah saw this problem and spoke against it in Isaiah 9:16, "For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed."  Jesus referenced the problem, Matthew 15:14  "Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch."  John admonishes us, 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.  Where is that Christian element that is not afraid to stand up to these ambiguous claims of leadership and say, "enough is enough?" 

In a progressive society, our presidents, community and church leaders build shrines to emphasize their role as leaders, even parent build stately homes that will outlast them. Church leaders acquire impressive titles and build stately tabernacles and even plan for their succession.  What does this say concerning our vanity, our desire for recognition, our desire to stand out or our attachment with the things of this world?  Now we are forced to ask the question, what is the trapping of a great leader, a big house, money, a special car, or is it a desire to serve, to make a difference, to make the world a better place?  Was John the Baptist a great leader?  How many people today would follow a John the Baptist type fellow into the wilderness to hear him preach?  The Gospel John preached would be out of place in a setting where people flocked to be entertained and have their ego massaged. 

The promise of wealth and worldly pleasures, an entrapment or temptation presented to Jesus by the Devil is exciting and empowering to man.  Millions of people rush to assemblies to hear the Gospel of the Kingdom transformed by leaders into the Gospel of greed,  The Gospel of prosperity and the Gospel of entertainment.  We no longer come to church seeking to aid and assist our fellow man, we come to church looking for the blessing which is not scripture. We assembly like spoiled brats, adhering to the program, with uplifted hands, begging God for the blessing.  We are indoctrinated into a belief that God is sitting on the sidelines just waiting to bless us.  Collecting these make believe blessings have become a way of life to many.  Is this is what it all about? 

The book of Revelation, the book that contains the seven letters of Jesus to the seven representative churches is filled with insight and wisdom that is often overlooked.  The imagery and the symbology often overshadow the message as we justify our lack of knowledge by saying, "I just want to be ready when he come."  Revelation gives us a view of the church here on earth, the church in Heaven, and the final consummation  of things.  The problem with the book of Revelation is that it reveals things that we as humans are not prepared to accept. Revelation not only chronologize the history of the church, it reveals the flaws and problems of leadership among those who claim to be a part of the bride of Christ. 

The first step to the abuse of leadership roles begins with the ability to justify the sins that exist within us.  Justification can be through seeing and justifying or not able to see and justifying.  In the old testament, King David did a royal job of justifying his sin, thus abusing his role of leadership.   Abusing the role of leadership often result in one using the word of God to lift our self up, claiming that which do not belong to us and making promising in the name of God to obtain personal wealth and glory. Leadership in the vineyard of Christ should not be for personal gain, it should be about the saving of souls.  Jesus promised that our reward would be in heaven. Using the Word of God to indoctrinate believers into a profound level of gullibility, teaching them to become prey and making merchandise of them is forbidden by the Holy scripture.  2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. The selling of salvation, miracles and blessing were never ordained by Jesus Christ. 

The follows of Christ are often subjected to bondage in order to further the will of the so-called leaders.  Often times whether a person goes to church or not is based upon whether they have an offering or not.   Under the guise of praying for the givers, pastors will often stand at the offering table  watching to see who gave what, a type of applied bondage.  Paul in the book of   Galatians addresses the subject of applied bondage.   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:  Galatians 4:9  But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?  Galatians 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

At any given time, there is a vast array of ministers and prophets offering a smorgasbord of blessings.  To claim these blessings all you have to do is speak the word and ask for them.  Whether it's healing or money there are those who are prepared to tell you how to get what you want from God.  The fact that God is not moving in the direction that we are leading him does not figure into the equation.  A silent God is a factor that we cannot entertain, yet there are many times in the scripture where God was silent. The works of God is marginalized, trivialized and converted into cliques for the sake of gaining followers.  It is a well-known fact that followers translate into money and if you want to be blessed you have got to give money.  We are now promised financial blessings over the internet, all we have to do is type "Amen".  

Did Jesus, the Apostles or even Paul go about preaching a message of promised prosperity, or was the core message repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand?  In many church settings, the leaders are speaking of all of the wonderful that God is doing, how God wants us to be happy and prosperous.  Many leave these services in a mentality and financial quagmire that grew worst during the service.   Many times I have sat through beautiful messages designed to teach me how to get what I want from God.  The messages always centered around give more money and God will bless you.  There are many who are no longer believing these message, but like the emperor and his suit of new clothes, they are ashamed or afraid to admit it. 

In my lecturing, my travel and consultation, I am faced with a new and growing threat to the household of faith.  It is a problem that even I am not prepared to fully address. The pandering, the pampering and the new direction of many churches and church leaders have left many of their elderly constituents standing at the crossroad of despair and confusion.  The sadness of this is, these people have been made to question their faith in a time when they need it most.  But, as good soldiers they have learned to suffer in silence.  The beliefs, the things that they once held dear is being cast aside. The unfulfilled promises, the aches, and pains  of life even the financial insecurity of growing old is discombobulating to those who made the church an integral part of their life.  A 90 year old woman, after spending her life in the church, being preached and ministered to, looking out at a graveyard wondered out loud, "maybe this is all that it is."  She had planted seeds, paid her tithes, paid her dues, gave in offerings and honored her pastors, was this the measure of her salvation?   The ideology of Christians are rich in worldly goods and sinners are poor is a false illusion that is perpetuated by those who make merchandise of God's people.

The organizational structure of many organized churches has become oppressive in that it caters to the hierarchy of the organization rather than the needs of the local church, the need of the people or even the community.  The members are severely taxed and must make financial contributions to men, women, and organizations on a local, district, state and international level.  An elaborate pyramid scheme is enforced through indoctrinated procedures enforced through fear and intimidation.   Scriptures are cast about that strike fear into the heart of those who even think that their leader has erred.

Jesus said in Revelation 3:19, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent."

A Prayer Request For The Holiday

Do not pray for me.  Today as I head to the hospital for another batch of test and consultations, there is no heaviness within my heart.   Whether the news is good or bad is no longer a factor to me, I have long placed my fate in the hands of God and accepted the inevitable.   If cancer or diabetes does not take me out of the game  of life, then time or chance will surely prevail.  If you are taking the time to read this, I ask you this Holiday season to pray for the families  that are torn apart through hatred, false perceptions and lack of conversation. Pray for those who will be alone this holiday season, and pray for the church that have failed the mission of Christ.   Pray not for world peace, but pray that the love for Christ and the love of Christ will flow like water from the pulpit, throughout the church and into the community. 

Abusing The Role of Leadership Part #2 of 4

The God Complex

The emerging of untested leaders is a common occurrence within the human condition.  Specifically, ethnic groups, communities and the organized churches are inundated with a massive insurgency of leaders that serve no purpose other than to manipulate the masses to further their own objective.   Those of us who are enduring a type of suffering harbors a level of gullibility, we look for that Moses to appear and lead us into the promise land.  We quickly succumb to the antics and rhetoric of the actors,  the sports players the rock stars, the motivational speakers, we place them on pedestals and call them leaders.   

Revelation 2:15  So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate.  Jesus spoke of his hatred for those that came into the church for the purpose of establishing rulership over God's people.  Why did the church organize and succumb to the rule of leadership? Why is a level of salvation derived from collecting funds within a community and funneling it to groups outside of the community?  Why have the saints of God emerged into an arena where the blessing of God is determined by the amount of money given?  Why is the program always about raising money?  
      
There is a type of sadness and suffering emulating from the household of faith, it is seen and experienced by those who are aware of the revocation of their immortal status.  The syrupy messages of sunshine and favor no longer hold sway as they once did, the realization has begun to set in, we are being manipulated. The pomp and pageantry of idolatry have been injected into many of our worship settings as men and women adorn themselves in manners that separate themselves from the rest of the assembly.  Does this level of seperation defined their level of Godliness?  The organized church has become a place where fancy title are issued and "the God complex" is nurtured. Let's take a look at what Jesus had to say about clamoring for a title or position.

Matthew 23:8  But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.

Jesus forbade his disciples to seek such titles of distinction. The reason he gave was, that he was himself their Master and Teacher. They were on a level; they were to be equal in authority; they were brethren, and they should neither covet nor receive a title which implied either an elevation of one above another, or which appeared to infringe on the absolute right of the Saviour to be their only Teacher and Master. The command here is an express command to his disciples not to receive such a title of distinction. They were not to covet it; they were not to seek it; they were not to do anything that implied a wish or a willingness that it should be appended to their names. Everything which would tend to make a distinction among them, or destroy their parity, everything which would lead the world to suppose that there were ranks and grades among them as ministers, they were to avoid. 

It is to be observed that the command is, that they were not to receive the title. "Be not ye called Rabbi." The Saviour did not forbid them giving the title to others when it was customary or not regarded as improper, (Acts 26:25;) but they were not to receive it. It was to be unknown among them. This title corresponds with the title "Doctor of Divinity," as applied to ministers of the gospel; and so far as I can see, the spirit of the Saviour's command is violated by the reception of such a title, as it would have been by their being called Rabbi. It is a literary distinction. It does not appropriately pertain to the office. It makes a distinction among ministers. It tends to engender pride, and a sense of superiority in those who obtain it, and envy and a sense of inferiority in those who do not; and the whole spirit and tendency of it is contrary to the "simplicity that is in Christ"

Matthew 23:9  And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

This does not, of course, forbid us to apply the term to our real father. Religion requires all proper honour to be shown to him, Ex 20:12; Matthew 15:4; Eph 6:1-3. But the word father also denotes authority, eminence, superiority, a right to command, and a claim to particular respect. In this sense, it is used here. In this sense, it belongs eminently to God, and it is not right to give it to men. Christian brethren are equal. God only has supreme authority. He only has a right to give laws, to declare doctrines to bind the conscience, to punish disobedience. The Jewish teachers affected that title because they seem to have supposed that a teacher formed the man, or gave him real life, and sought, therefore, to be called father. Christ taught them that the source of all life and truth was God, and they ought not to seek or receive a title which properly belongs to him.

Matthew 23:10  Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.

Those who go before others; who claim, therefore, the right to direct and control others. This was also a title conferred on Jewish teachers.

Neither of these commands forbids us to give proper titles of civil office to men or to render them the honour belonging to their station, Matthew 22:21; Romans 13:7; 1st Peter 2:17. They forbid the disciples of Jesus to seek or receive mere empty titles, producing distinctions among themselves, implying authority to control the opinions and conduct of others, and claiming that others should acknowledge them to be superior to them.

Matthew 23:11  But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.

He that shall humble himself, etc. God will exalt or honour him that is humble, and that seeks a lowly place among men. That is the true religion, and God will and God will reward it.

Matthew 23:12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

The scribes and Pharisees explained the law of Moses and enforced obedience to it. They are charged with hypocrisy in religion. We can only judge according to outward appearance, but God searches the heart. They made phylacteries. These were scrolls of paper or parchment, wherein were written four paragraphs of the law, to be worn on their foreheads and left arms, Exodus 13:2-10,11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21. They made these phylacteries broad, that they might be thought more zealous for the law than others. God appointed the Jews to make fringes upon their garments, Numbers 15:38, to remind them of their being a peculiar people; but the Pharisees made them larger than common as if they were thereby more religious than others. 

Pride was the darling, reigning sin of the Pharisees, the sin that most easily beset them, and which our Lord Jesus takes all occasions to speak against. For him, that is taught in the word to give respect to him that teaches are commendable; but for him that teaches, to demand it, to be puffed up with it, is sinful. How much is all this against the spirit of Christianity! The consistent disciple of Christ is pained by being put into chief places. But who that looks around on the visible church, would think this was the spirit required? It is plain that some measure of this antichristian spirit prevails in every religious society, and in every one of our hearts.

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.