While reading through some blogs this week I came across a blog post on Christian leadership. It talked about discipleship as the main function of pastoral leaders. After reading the post (which was very interesting!) I scrolled down to the comments and saw this:
“I love Pastors, but honestly, I don’t trust them very much anymore.”
It was in reference to the church becoming more about the personality of the lead pastor and less about God and the Holy Spirit. Seeing this made me reflect upon 1 Corinthians 1:12 in which there are four men named as having followers: Paul, Apollos, Cephas and Christ--all within one church.
We can argue and debate over what methods we incorporate in our worship and about the theology behind a sermon, but can we really argue over who is at the head of the church? If Christ is the indisputable head of the church, then why do we have so many quarrels and divisions within the church? Could it be that we choose to follow one pastor over another, a deacon over an elder, one member over another, or possible we are following our own will above all else?
Following Christ involves sacrifice and we are called to be dead to ourselves so that we may be alive in Christ (Romans 6:11)! If the world wants to make it all about themselves I can understand that. However, if we are living for God and credit him with our righteousness and really appreciate that Christ was sacrificed for our sin, what kind of example are we when we associate ourselves with following someone other than Christ in Christ’s own church?
If we believe that the Word of God is for us and that we have life only due to Christ’s death, how much faith do we have in that if we can’t follow the wisdom in Colossians 1:17-20:
17He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
In a perfect world we would have unity and peace, especially in the church. However, we must be held accountable to our own actions and we must commit to take the steps required to give peace and unity a chance! Just because a pastor asks you to follow him even if division is a result, be sure you are following Christ first. Pastors are sinners just like the rest of us and following a man instead of your Lord & Savior is bound to lead to destruction.
Follow Christ and learn from his example and he will make a way for other to stand firm with you for the sake of unity within the church.
Related posts:
- Reasons not to invite others to follow Christ
- 5 people I follow on twitter and why: 4) Jason Mitchener
- 5 people I follow on twitter and why: 3) Dave Anderson
- Comparing the Olympics to the church
- 5 people I follow on twitter and why: 5) Rick Warren
Tags: 1 corinthians 1:12, church, division, follow paul
