There is a broad spectrum of churches.  Some are defined by their theology, some by the worship style, some are characterized by their denominational ties, and some are simply the delegated church of a community.  At issue today is those churches that have become a mirror of a personality.  Yes, the church should be patterned after the personality and person of Christ, but not after a personality of a worship leader, pastor, or preacher.  When a single person becomes the only one making decisions when everything from the who will teach a Sunday School class to what will be sung in the worship service it is a harbinger of what could well become a cult.

To what extent should the leadership of a church control or limit the freedom of its members?

Guidelines here:

1. The absolute authority within the church and the individual Christian is God. All other authority is subordinate.
2. All Christians live in a society and have responsibilities to others.  Never-the-less, it is to God alone that we are primarily accountable and responsible.  It is not our families or friends or church or community or society that will be our ultimate judge.
3. There is a tension between the encouragement to follow spiritual leaders and the individual liberty that Christians must retain in Christ.  A Christian should not allow liberty to become license or irresponsibility, but do all out of love for others.
4. A leader must first be a servant. The leader should be the first to get his hands dirty. The leader must be the first when someone is in need.  The leader must be standing at the ready to do whatever is asked.
5. The New Testament says little about church leaders insisting and demanding obedience from their fellow-believers.
6. There are definite limits to the authority of church leaders.  For example, a leader does not have the right to tell people how to live their personal lives.  Christians should not accept domination, exploitation, manipulation or any kind of spiritual abuse.  In morally indifferent matters, where there is no clear statement in Scripture, everyone must be free to live according to his own conscience.  However, individual freedom should be regulated by love.
7. The Church exists in union with God through Jesus Christ.  It consists of believers-in- community as Christ’s living body whose primary loyalty is to God through Jesus Christ, not to the leaders themselves.  It is a living organism rather than an organization.
8. The ideal is ministry by community to achieve corporate maturity.  Ministry belongs to the whole church.  Although there was an organized leadership of elders (bishops) and deacons in the NT churches, there does not seem to be any gap between the “clergy” and the “laity”.  Rather all those with spiritual gifts, including the gift of leadership, are called to equip all believers for mature discipleship and service.
9. The five key ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher, collectively provide a healthy spiritual diet for any church, if they are held in balance (Ephesians 4:11).

What do you think?  Leave a comment.