Don’t worry–this isn’t about politics. But when we vote, we’re not choosing leaders. We’re actually electing representatives who will have authority (1 Pet. 2:13-14, Rom. 13:1-3). They will be entrusted to make & enforce laws in accordance with the U.S. Constitution–the ultimate American authority (at least theoretically). Though there’s overlap between leadership & authority, there’s also a big difference. Leadership is about influence, whether one has official authority or not. Authority is positional; leadership is personal. We defer to those in authority, but we follow those who have influence.
Likewise, an officer in the military has authority over those under his command, but that doesn’t make him a leader worthy of being followed. Still, soldiers are to respect the position & salute the uniform even if they can’t respect the person. A private in the army may be more qualified to lead than the sergeant, but he still submits for the sake of order. An employer has authority over employees, but she may not be leading them. The worker may actually be a more qualified leader but still submits to the boss (1 Tim. 6:1-2, Col. 3:23, 4:1).
In the home, a husband may have authority based on his role, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a leader if he’s not acting in a loving & godly way (Gen. 3:16, 1 Cor. 11:3-10, Eph. 5:22-33). The husband is to operate under Christ’s headship. The wife defers to her husband’s headship for the sake of order, but she may actually be the real leader of the family by her influential character & example.
In the Church, there may be a difference between leadership & authority. Jesus has all authority & is the only head of His body, the Church (Matt. 28:18, Eph. 1:22, 4:15). Those who serve as elders (shepherds & overseers–interchangeable functions of the same role – Acts 20:17-28) are under His authority. Ideally, these men should already be leaders who have proven they can be entrusted with authority by virtue of their character, giftedness, love, biblical knowledge & teaching (Heb. 13:17, 1 Tim. 3:2-7, Titus 1:5-9, 1 Thess. 5:12-13). While we should be wary of anyone who seeks authority, it’s a good thing to aspire to be elders & humble servant leaders like Jesus (Mark 10:42-44, 1 Tim. 3:1).
The word used for “leader” 3 times in Hebrews 13 means “influence, going before, directing, guiding.” But the only leaders Christians are called to submit to are those who “speak the Word of God” & “keep watch over your souls”–the elders (Heb. 13:7, 17). Their leadership flows from their influence, while their authority flows from their adherence to upholding God’s Word as the supreme authority.
However, churches also have leaders who are not in positions of authority. Leadership is a spiritual gift just as teaching & administration are (Rom. 12:6-8, 1 Cor. 12:28). Some are deacons (1 Tim. 3:8-13, Phil. 1:1). Though churches give authority to deacons, the term in the original Greek is translated as “servant.” The only proto-typical example of a deacon’s actual role is when 7 men were chosen to serve food to widows (Acts 6:2-6). So while they were considered leaders by virtue of their character & spirituality, they exercised no real authority.
Some leaders serve on the church staff. These are hired to do the same kind of role as deacons, but commit to giving more time (& are often more specialized, educated, trained, & experienced), & thus are compensated (1 Cor. 9:8-14, Luke 10:7, Phil. 4:16-19). These leaders typically have titles such as “minister” or “director.” While “minister” may imply authority, it is the same word in Greek as “deacon”–a ”servant.” That word is often left untranslated to give the impression of authority where it does not exist. Christendom elevated the titles of “minister” & “deacon” to a level the Bible does not.
Men or women leaders who are not elders have no authority but are operating through administration. No one is in submission to them though they may follow their example & directions to accomplish tasks. This is why women may serve as ministers or directors, but not as elders (1 Tim. 2:11-12). It’s not that they aren’t gifted or capable, but that the role of elder is unique (whatever the title may be–pastor, preacher, etc.), just as the role of a husband & father in the family is unique. No matter how well a woman may fulfill the function of her spouse, she can never truly be the husband & father.
For example, our Associate Minister is Cindy Bobruk. This past week, she celebrated being baptized here 30 years ago, noting that she’s now spent half her life in Christ & in Southpoint. Next week marks her 19th year on staff. She’s an effective leader in many ways & I value her highly because she has everything an “associate” should–maturity, knowledge, wisdom, loves people, strong work ethic, & fiercely supportive. Although she’s not an elder & doesn’t preach or teach doctrine to men in the church, out of all the baptisms I’ve taken part in, I believe hers has made the 2nd most impact (the first being my very first convert whom we support as a missionary in Africa, translating the Bible into a Tanazanian language).
P.S. I intend to follow this up more soon by addressing how little the New Testament talks about leadership in contrast to how much today’s Church does (which I fell prey to as well).