Church Leadership in the body of Christ - My views

The only lasting property Jesus has on this universe is the church. That's why Christ ave His life to redeem the church. Titus 2:14 - who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own. But you and I know know that the most imperfect people are in the church. Hence the governance of the church cannot be based on secular principles.

The church is then only organization where reverse accountability works. In the secular world, the CEO in no way is accountable to the management. The management is accountable to the CEO but not the other way round. But in the church this is possible and must be the modus oprandi. This is becasue the church operates on principles based on the Word. The moment those at the top say they are not accountable to anyone, we have started our journey down the slippery trail of animosity. How can this machinery work without ruffling one another.

Humility.   This is the key to any seamless operation.  Until and unless we are willing to humble ourselves, we will never learn the art of accountability to our subordinates.
  • Eph 5:21 -  Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
  • Eph 4:21 -  With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
  • Phi 2:3 -  [Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Unity.   Paul encourages unity of mind and thought.1 Cor 1:10 - I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. In Eph 4:3, Paul says, "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace". How can we have unity:
  • Sound relationship.    The closer our relation ship, the easier to submit to each other. That's why the writer in Heb 10:25 says, "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." The better we know each other , the better we relate to making sound decisions. That's why regular meetings and fellowships are so important.
  • Praying together.   When saints come together to pray, barriers are broken, fetters are shattered and relationships are made stronger. Matt 18:18-19 - Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.“Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. Praying together in unity produces unexpected results.
Conformity.     Obeying the Word of God to the very letter. The church leadership should not deviate from the Word of God. Any slight compromise spells disaster. When Saul decided to spare Agag and the good cattle, it all looked like a valid reason but NO. It was wrong. It went against God's command. In today's context where there are so many controversial issues, the church leadership needs spiritual courage, discernment and audacity to do what God's Word says. Anything short is a failure of the office.

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