My last entry opined that the church is not a democracy. That is, it is not to be governed by a majority vote of the people. A hard concept for people who believe themselves to live in a “democratic society” and think they just have to have a say.
So it is a fair question to ask, “If the church is not a democracy, then what is it? And how do you govern it?” Let me stab at answering these queries.
Obviously the church is Jesus’ church and should be considered a “Christocracy,” governed by Christ. He told the disciples he would build his church. Paul tells us Jesus is head of all things, including the church. Everything we do, everything, must be done not for our own benefit but because Jesus wants us to do it.
Luke chapter 4 gives us the what. Jesus said he was anointed and appointed to preach good news, to set captives free, to heal the brokenhearted and bring recovery of sight to the blind. This was the language of a conquering king who was setting up a new administration and setting right the corruption of the previous dictator. This is the stuff of kingdom business, bringing these qualities of resurrection life into the present, working by faith to materialize the kingdom.
Matthew chapter 28 gives us the how. Jesus told us that as we go we are to make disciples. We are to gather around ourselves people who will commit themselves to learning the ways of the kingdom and doing its work. Growing them in faith and maturity and Christ-like character so that they can join in the kingdom work described in Luke chapter 4. I have a feeling doing the stuff of Luke chapter 4 helps us attract folks so we can do Matthew chapter 28.
Let me emphasize to you that if we are not doing the what according to the how, we are not obedient to Christ. Period. It does not matter what we have always done, or what others are doing, or how well intentioned we are.
As for governing the church, for taking it in the direction Jesus wants it to go, I hearken back to a previous entry for the mechanics. What if we were to adopt the mindset that allows the pastor to lead, a board to govern, a staff to manage, and a congregation to minister? What if decision-making was streamlined and permission-giving so that more emphasis and resource could be placed on ministry? Perhaps I will deal with this in the next entry.
The Lectionary texts for the coming Sunday allude to this. In Mark chapter 9 Jesus’ disciples became alarmed when they noticed someone they didn’t know casting out demons in Jesus’ name. He said, “Let them alone! If they are not against us they are for us. If they do miracles they can’t soon criticize us.”
In Numbers chapter 11 Moses cried out to God for help. At God’s instruction he set aside 70 elders to be recognized before the people. The Holy Spirit fell, and they began to prophesy, always a sign that God is present. However, Joshua became alarmed that two men in the congregation were also prophesying, and warned Moses to make them stop. Moses said, “Are you worried about me? I wish everyone had God’s spirit and could prophesy!”
Democracy in the church is not in the deciding but in the doing. The Holy Spirit falls on some to give them direction for making decisions, and we call them elders. We owe them our respect and our cooperation. But the Holy Spirit falls on all of us to make us ministers, to anoint us to join into the kingdom work Jesus described in Luke chapter 4.
So it is a fair question to ask, “If the church is not a democracy, then what is it? And how do you govern it?” Let me stab at answering these queries.
Obviously the church is Jesus’ church and should be considered a “Christocracy,” governed by Christ. He told the disciples he would build his church. Paul tells us Jesus is head of all things, including the church. Everything we do, everything, must be done not for our own benefit but because Jesus wants us to do it.
Luke chapter 4 gives us the what. Jesus said he was anointed and appointed to preach good news, to set captives free, to heal the brokenhearted and bring recovery of sight to the blind. This was the language of a conquering king who was setting up a new administration and setting right the corruption of the previous dictator. This is the stuff of kingdom business, bringing these qualities of resurrection life into the present, working by faith to materialize the kingdom.
Matthew chapter 28 gives us the how. Jesus told us that as we go we are to make disciples. We are to gather around ourselves people who will commit themselves to learning the ways of the kingdom and doing its work. Growing them in faith and maturity and Christ-like character so that they can join in the kingdom work described in Luke chapter 4. I have a feeling doing the stuff of Luke chapter 4 helps us attract folks so we can do Matthew chapter 28.
Let me emphasize to you that if we are not doing the what according to the how, we are not obedient to Christ. Period. It does not matter what we have always done, or what others are doing, or how well intentioned we are.
As for governing the church, for taking it in the direction Jesus wants it to go, I hearken back to a previous entry for the mechanics. What if we were to adopt the mindset that allows the pastor to lead, a board to govern, a staff to manage, and a congregation to minister? What if decision-making was streamlined and permission-giving so that more emphasis and resource could be placed on ministry? Perhaps I will deal with this in the next entry.
The Lectionary texts for the coming Sunday allude to this. In Mark chapter 9 Jesus’ disciples became alarmed when they noticed someone they didn’t know casting out demons in Jesus’ name. He said, “Let them alone! If they are not against us they are for us. If they do miracles they can’t soon criticize us.”
In Numbers chapter 11 Moses cried out to God for help. At God’s instruction he set aside 70 elders to be recognized before the people. The Holy Spirit fell, and they began to prophesy, always a sign that God is present. However, Joshua became alarmed that two men in the congregation were also prophesying, and warned Moses to make them stop. Moses said, “Are you worried about me? I wish everyone had God’s spirit and could prophesy!”
Democracy in the church is not in the deciding but in the doing. The Holy Spirit falls on some to give them direction for making decisions, and we call them elders. We owe them our respect and our cooperation. But the Holy Spirit falls on all of us to make us ministers, to anoint us to join into the kingdom work Jesus described in Luke chapter 4.
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