Do you sense a depression in the body of Christ in
America, as if something is badly wrong? We’re losing influence within our
culture as the anti-Christian sentiment grows, yet you’d never know it in most
churches—the media, lights, music and preaching rolls on as if all is well.
The situation is exacerbated by this simple fact: We
don’t have our act together in the body of Christ. Too often people come to the
church, are deeply disappointed and as a result are turned off from the gospel.
The church promises solutions but only offers lip service. We’ve become
excellent at giving people a show on Sunday but lousy at showing them how to
actually live. In fact, most church members are as bound up as those in the
world—they’re in financial bondage, struggling with addictions and their
families are in disarray.
This includes leaders in the church. I believe, as John
Maxwell says, that everything rises and falls based on leadership. So allow me
to address the leadership situation within the church community.
Churches and ministries typically grow when leaders are
passionate and have a vision. It doesn’t matter if they have seminary degrees;
if they can preach the gospel and if people gravitate to them, they suddenly
have a growing church! Anointing is more important than academics. That’s
partly why our churches are growing while other areas of the body aren’t.
But there’s a dark underbelly to church leadership too.
Often the leaders are theologically untrained and veer from biblical doctrine.
What else can explain the numerous—and usually public—theological gaffes such
as Benny Hinn preaching that God is nine gods or Eddie Long being paraded
around his church as a crowned king (amid a sex scandal)?
As troubling as sloppy theology is, I’m equally disturbed
by leaders’ behind-the-scenes attitudes toward their flocks. The church
community obviously isn’t the only one with “my way or the highway” leaders.
But I’ve heard far too many pastors joke in private about having a “backdoor
revival” before their church could move ahead. Translation: They had to make
some people leave. They feel that God is telling them they are not their pastor
anymore. Then these same leaders question why so many people have come through
their doors and no one is staying. The Holy Spirit is hampered and these
leaders have a form of godliness but denying its power.
I recently spoke with four friends about why it’s hard to
find a good church. They are successful financially and are passionate
believers. On the surface, they’re what every pastor needs. Yet after being
active in a local church, they both became disillusioned with what they saw and
how they were treated. As they recounted stories of how pastors felt threatened
by their powerful personalities and positions, I felt sorry for my friends (for
never experiencing the community they sought) and for the insecure leaders they
served.
Countless other mature Christians have been so wounded by
leadership that they stay home on Sunday and “go to church” by watching Charles
Stanley or Jack Hayford. They get a good message, some good music and an
opportunity to “tithe” to that ministry. Sometimes this is a transitional
period. Too often it’s not.
But this isn’t Christian community. Aren’t we supposed to
assemble with other believers? Aren’t we supposed to bring a hymn or a
Scripture or a prophetic word when we meet? In larger churches this need is met
in small groups or in various ministries of the church. There are many examples
of healthy churches where this happens. But too often it isn’t.
So what’s the answer? I believe more church leaders need
to be pastored, mentored and discipled themselves. Like the rest of us, they
need accountability and true relationship, which produces a spirit of humility
and servanthood rather than an “I’m the bishop, serve me” mentality or follow
the leader and if you don’t then create ways of alienation for them to leave.
Leaders are held to a higher standard. Paul’s letters are
full of specific directives for Christian leaders. Jesus said it’s better for
someone to be cast into the sea with a millstone around their neck than to
cause one person to stumble (Mark 9:42). It’s time for us to wake up and see
what’s happening. There is a lost world to be won. There are “sheep” who need
to be nurtured, fed and discipled in the things of God. It’s the only way a
believer can survive in this increasingly difficult cultural environment!
Until this happens, people—like my friends—will feel as
if they’re drifting. They’ll never really find their place in the body of
Christ. And sooner or later, they will “vote with their feet” by going
somewhere else—or worse still, nowhere.
