Churches, like many other organizations, are often plagued by power-struggles. Tension is felt as people wander who’s in control. The struggle is felt when a new minister arrives to assess the congregation before him. The minister must figure out two important dynamics. Who is the formal leadership and who is the informal leadership. The formal leadership are those who hold the titles (elder, deacon, board member, etc.), while the informal leaders are the members who actually make the church run (often times they are the ones with the money or a hard working member). While the focus is on churches, the reality is that every organization has this dynamic at play because it’s human nature.
In order to address the power structure and keep it from turning into a struggle, churches have traditionally chosen different ways to format their organization. The “Pastoral-driven” format gives the minister the power to set the agenda and vision for the church. He may answer to a board, but he’s clearly in charge. Some pastoral churches are actually “Committee-driven,” where the Pastor is a member of every committee. Thus he has a say and influence over every aspect of the church, but is not running the church. Finally, the “Elder-driven” format has a group of spiritually discerning men within the church lead and give direction to the church.
Each of these format holds strengths and weaknesses. Each finds themselves ultimately trapped in a power struggle, they’re trying to avoid, searching for a better model to follow. Maybe the book of Acts can shed light on this dilemma.
By the time we open to the fifteenth chapter of Acts the church is clearly comprised of two ethnic groups. The Jews, who’ve been part of God’s story for 2000 years, and the Gentiles whom God had recently begun grafting into his story. Some of those from the Jewish-Christian group began setting an agenda for the Gentiles to be circumcised in order to be saved (Act. 15:1,5). Suddenly, a power-struggle ensued between this group and Paul (15:2) as power-struggles are never good for the church. When the truth of the Gospel is a casualty in a power-struggle, the church and its credibility loses.
Everyone wants a voice and say in the direction of the church, but Acts 15 is clear about two facts. First, not everyone has a right to speak into the direction of the church. The ones advocating circumcision were soon confronted and quieted. They were speaking outside of God’s will for his church. In an era of social media and multiple churches with easy access, it’s easy to believe everyone has a voice and say in the direction of the church. Acts 15, and other places, stand against such a position. Not everyone has a right to set the agenda of the church.
However, someone has to give direction to the church. When the leaders met in Jerusalem, Peter, Paul and Barnabas, James and the elders assembled to discuss the issue. When Peter spoke, he described how he was led by God and the Holy Spirit (v. 7-8) to baptize Cornelius without him needing circumcised. Paul and Barnabas shared their experience among the Gentiles, which was underscored by the wonders God performed through them (v. 11). James concluded the meeting by pointing to God’s words through the prophet, Amos (v. 16-18). The theme of God and the Holy Spirit sets the agenda for the church, which is the second fact made clear, not only the book of Acts in general, but Acts 15 in particular.
So God is the one who sets the agenda, and our job is to line up with him.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(i.e. only God is glorified!)