FOLLOWING THE REAL LEADERS
I've seen a tragic thing happening in the body of Christ that I find quite disturbing. It's a kind of idolatry that turns popular Christian leaders into objects of worship. Then when the inevitable fall happens (because all the glory belongs to the Lord), and the individual’s failings are exposed, stunned and devastated supporters struggle to figure out what to do next.
This form of adulation does not really allow for true submission and accountability on the part of the leader. Rather, all too often, those who have achieved star status and amassed a large following simply spin the truth, manipulate the media and change the rules when their problems become known.
Of course, this is not true of every Christian leader. However, the few flamboyant examples are increasing because the success model for this style of leadership is very attractive and, for many, hard to resist.
Today, the unending pursuit of fame is as much descriptive of the church as it is of the world. But fame does not make a ministry valid, neither is it an indicator of integrity.
Lately, I have been reading Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole, and it has helped me gain some perspective on this subject. In her book, Chole explores why the 30 years Jesus spent in obscurity, prior to the start of his earthly ministry, were crucial to His preparation (see Matt. 4:1-11).
Using the wilderness temptations of Christ as a backdrop, Chole proceeds to compare two distinct types of authority—position-based and submission-based. Leaders who follow a position-based model typically are self-appointed or appointed by people. Although they are not without certain gifts, their leadership style tends to be legalistic, people pleasing, hypocritical and self-focused.
The more desirable form of authority is submission-based, as evidenced in the life of Jesus. As Christians, we are to take our lead from Him. Earthly leaders gain the privilege and honor of leading others by demonstrating that they, too, follow and model the character and nature of Christ.
Ideally, position and submission must work together, Chole says. “A world of good can be done, both in the world and in the church, when positions of authority are filled by people whose lives have authority. And a world of damage can be done, especially in the church, when individuals who have ceased to—or possibly never even started to—cultivate continual submission to God dare to assume positions of spiritual leadership in the community of faith.
“Position + submission = empowering leadership. Position – submission = abusive leadership.”
When leaders are more concerned with looking successful (by worldly standards) than teaching and modeling Christ, God’s people are misled. As a result, they are unable to tell the difference between a healthy ministry and an unhealthy one. This is a form of spiritual abuse.
Contrary to the saying, image is not everything; it is a very shallow thing when there is not true godly character. The apostle Paul wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1, NIV). Paul knew his frailties and clearly never wanted his weaknesses to be the reason for another’s departure from the truth. Then in a different passage, he said: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! (Gal. 1:8.)
As leaders, if we are asking others to follow us, let’s make sure we are following Christ. We will not win this world for Him if we are as star struck as everyone else and easily seduced by glitz, wealth, popularity and power. It’s important to remember that we are all called to be like Jesus not to play a part.
Brenda J. Davis, editor of SpiritLed Woman
This form of adulation does not really allow for true submission and accountability on the part of the leader. Rather, all too often, those who have achieved star status and amassed a large following simply spin the truth, manipulate the media and change the rules when their problems become known.
Of course, this is not true of every Christian leader. However, the few flamboyant examples are increasing because the success model for this style of leadership is very attractive and, for many, hard to resist.
Today, the unending pursuit of fame is as much descriptive of the church as it is of the world. But fame does not make a ministry valid, neither is it an indicator of integrity.
Lately, I have been reading Anonymous by Alicia Britt Chole, and it has helped me gain some perspective on this subject. In her book, Chole explores why the 30 years Jesus spent in obscurity, prior to the start of his earthly ministry, were crucial to His preparation (see Matt. 4:1-11).
Using the wilderness temptations of Christ as a backdrop, Chole proceeds to compare two distinct types of authority—position-based and submission-based. Leaders who follow a position-based model typically are self-appointed or appointed by people. Although they are not without certain gifts, their leadership style tends to be legalistic, people pleasing, hypocritical and self-focused.
The more desirable form of authority is submission-based, as evidenced in the life of Jesus. As Christians, we are to take our lead from Him. Earthly leaders gain the privilege and honor of leading others by demonstrating that they, too, follow and model the character and nature of Christ.
Ideally, position and submission must work together, Chole says. “A world of good can be done, both in the world and in the church, when positions of authority are filled by people whose lives have authority. And a world of damage can be done, especially in the church, when individuals who have ceased to—or possibly never even started to—cultivate continual submission to God dare to assume positions of spiritual leadership in the community of faith.
“Position + submission = empowering leadership. Position – submission = abusive leadership.”
When leaders are more concerned with looking successful (by worldly standards) than teaching and modeling Christ, God’s people are misled. As a result, they are unable to tell the difference between a healthy ministry and an unhealthy one. This is a form of spiritual abuse.
Contrary to the saying, image is not everything; it is a very shallow thing when there is not true godly character. The apostle Paul wrote, “Follow my example, as I follow Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1, NIV). Paul knew his frailties and clearly never wanted his weaknesses to be the reason for another’s departure from the truth. Then in a different passage, he said: “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! (Gal. 1:8.)
As leaders, if we are asking others to follow us, let’s make sure we are following Christ. We will not win this world for Him if we are as star struck as everyone else and easily seduced by glitz, wealth, popularity and power. It’s important to remember that we are all called to be like Jesus not to play a part.
Brenda J. Davis, editor of SpiritLed Woman
posted by Felicia Mann at
12:32 PM
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