Christians refer to popes, cardinals, abbots, monks, mother superiors, nuns, pastor generals, presidents, councils, secretaries and a host of other terms used to describe the leadership positions within their churches (none of which are found in the Bible). In the Judeo-Christian Bible, we know that there was a group of priests (a priesthood) which was appointed to serve in various capacities under a High Priest (see Leviticus 8-10). However, in the New Testament, Peter refers to a priesthood of all believers (see I Peter 2:5); and Jesus Christ said that any of his followers who desired a position of leadership within his church would have to become the servant of everyone else (see Mark 9:35 and 10:44). Moreover, the author of the epistle to the Hebrews declared that Jesus Christ himself was the High Priest of the New Testament Church (see Hebrews 1-10).
Nevertheless, over time, the New Testament also makes clear that the First Century Church developed a number of offices within the community of believers. In his epistle to the saints at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul wrote: "Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ." (see Ephesians 4:11-12)
The Greek words that appear in these verses as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are as follows: "apostolos" means "a delegate, messenger, one sent forth" and "an ambassador of the gospel" (see Blue Letter Bible); "prophetes" means "a foreteller" or "an inspired speaker" (see Blue Letter Bible 2); "euangelistes" means "a bringer of good tidings," "an evangelist" or "a preacher of the gospel" (see Blue Letter Bible 3); "poimen" means "a herdsman" or "a shepherd"; and "didaskalos" means "an instructor" or "teacher" (see Blue Letter Bible 4).
It is interesting to note that NONE of the positions that Paul lists implies any authority. After all, when Christ responded to a request by two of his disciples to sit on his right and left hand, Jesus told them: "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (see Matthew 20:25-28) In short, Christ's notions about Christian leadership were radically different from human notions about leadership.
There are two other offices of the church mentioned in the New Testament: deacons and bishops. Paul mentions them in the third chapter of his first letter to Timothy. Once again, the context implies positions of service within the church. The Greek word is "diakoneo" which literally means "to be a servant, attendant, domestic, to serve, wait upon." (see Blue Letter Bible 5) The other Greek word is "episkope/episkopos" which implies "inspection" and "oversight." (see Blue Letter Bible 6) In fact, it is this last term which most of the tyrants within the Church use to justify their claims to authority. They regard themselves as "overseers."
Even in this last instance, however, the authoritarian's interpretation is contradicted by the context. Notice Paul's introduction to the qualifications for a bishop: "This is a true saying, if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work." The word translated into English as "work" is the Greek word "ergon." It implies toil, labor or work. (see Blue Letter Bible 7) Moreover, the qualifications which Paul then enumerates in the following verses clearly imply that the person in this office must serve in the capacity of a good example to the people he oversees/serves, and he is expected to "take care of the church of God." (see verse 5) Again, this is hardly the kind of language which supports an authoritarian interpretation of the job.
Indeed, in all of these enumerations of the "offices" which exist within the Christian Church, the monikers used are indicative of the kind of work expected from each one of the people who was tapped to fill that "office." Scripture is very clear that all of these positions are designed to edify God's people and equip them to do the work which God has given them to do. These are "The Offices of the Christian Church."
"What about elders?" someone will invariably ask. In the New Testament, the Greek word "presbyteros" literally means someone who is older or senior (See Strong's or Blue Letter Bible). Moreover, the context in which the term is used throughout the New Testament regarding the Church suggests the older members of the congregation (both in terms of actual age and length of time as a Christian). Finally, when someone was designated or chosen (ordained - KJV) as an elder of the congregation, Scripture implies that they were expected to be consulted for advice and prayers (further suggesting that they were expected to be more spiritual than younger folks - having had opportunity to "grow in grace and knowledge").
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ReplyDeleteShepherds are supposed to take care of the sheep, and even be willing to risk their lives for them. Caretakers?
Unfortunately, human beings seem to want status and power and authority and for people to look up to them and think that they're special. I guess we all fall somewhere along this continuum, and have to battle temptation in this area as in so many others. But if in the church we would just remember that Christ is the Head, we might be more able to see each other as equals and even be willing to defer to one another in genuine humility and brotherhood.
I recall reading in some WCG literature long ago, I don't remember in particular where, a criticism of the Roman Catholic Church regarding its governmental structure. It was supposed to be a mirror reflection of the way that the Roman Empire was organized. And this had some relevance to certain scriptures in the Book of Revelation - the RCC as a reflection of the Beast. A salient point for those who claim to understand the Book of Revelation. I don't claim to understand and am not sure it even belongs in the canon.
ReplyDeleteBut many denominations including the WCG adopted the equivalent of the Roman Catholic structure. It was a hierarchical government with centralized top-down authority. The terminology may differ from the RCC but it is the same in principle. The question is, is this really the New Testament structure? And I am not sure but what I can say is that the NT form of church government seems to be much more participatory that what we typically see in modern denominations.
Christ advocated, in the Gospel of John, unity, harmony and agreement. But that seems to be a stretch goal that Christians can never seem to reach. Woody Allen (I am not a fan) echoed this when he once said that any form of government can be made to work as long as it is based on love. I know of no cult that has any kind of governmental structure but an hierarchy with centralized authority. Nothing else seems to work for a cult where it is always all about control.
My ancestors were in the Society of Friends. While they were very liberal and unstructured in liturgy, they were very picky in government. I can look in Hinshaw and read where one of my ancestors 150 years ago said a cuss word and it came up before a Monthly Meeting somewhere.
Church government is always a problem. Its offices are the means of implementation and reflect its essential philosophy. It needs to be revisited in the Christian Movement as a whole. I doubt that it will ever happen.
NEO
ReplyDeleteEven up to this day the European RC dioceses or administrative units almost exactly mirror/remained as they were in the Roman Empire'administrative units and are therefore a faint reflection of the administrative units of the Empire.
Kinda like the many 10th-12th century churches built on all the old saxon cult sites.
Nck