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My friend John Frye, author of the excellent “Jesus The Pastor: Leading Others In The Character & Power Of Christ” and “Out of Print: A Novel”, has been blogging up a storm lately around the topic of pastors, leadership and the priesthood of all believers (so far with Part 1, Part 2, Part 3 & Part 4). John, himself a pastor, is down-right angry with some of the talk he has heard in some emerging/missional/evangelical circles of late, where the role of pastor seems to be treated as the new leper of ecclesiology. He cites critique from some in the organic church community, stating:
- “I have noted a mantra from the organic church sympathizers. Any critique of their priesthood-of-all-believers, no-hierarchal-structure, anti-clergy/laity split, all-are-leaders-and-thus-none-are-leaders theology receives this: ‘Well, show me from the New Testament anyone with a modern pastor job description.’ I want to respond, ‘Show me your thorough-going American egalitarian, democratic, consensual decision-making polity in the New Testament.’ It just ain’t there.”
John goes on the very clearly defend the role and calling of pastor as not only Biblical, but reflective of Christ’s own example. Anyone who knows me will know that I often talk about organic structures, am suspicious of hierarchy, oppose a clergy-laity divide that places the administration of the sacraments in the hands of the privileged few, etc. And yet, find myself deeply resonating with John while simultaneously standing by the previous sentiments. While some might think my defence of the role of pastor stems from my recent move to become one, this is not the case. I am convinced that correctives of the organic church movement are essential, but that there is a trend that is taking things too far.
I do not believe that a pastor is meant to be in hierarchy over the local church community. Pastoring is often about leadership, but I believe that leadership is necessarily hierarchical. Too often, as we seek to dismantle the hierarchical structures of power that have become all too common in the church, we make the equally devastating move of seeking equality through uniformity. This shift is most often defended by referencing the priesthood of all believers, a fair reversal of sacramental power structures, but one that should not be confused with the unique vocation of pastor. Our previous unfortunate confusing/blending of the priestly and pastoral roles not only resulted in pastors being endowed with more power and privilege than ever intended, but also contributed to throwing the pastoral baby out with the bathwater of hierarchy.
Our Little Flowers Community is very intentional in moving towards functioning under community discernment, even a communal hermeneutic- that is, we form our understanding and practice of faith by moving together, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the in-formation of Scripture. In that process, my role as pastor has been critical, just as the unique spiritual gifts of others have been essential. It is one among many equally valuable giftings that make up the necessary diversity reflective of Christ’s Body. Does my role give me more power and/or authority? Without question, at this stage in our community development, it does. However, it is not the power or authority that make the role abusive, but how that power and authority is exercised.
Again and again, John turns us back to Christ, and with good reason. Jesus had stunning authority of every kind, yet His life and ministry is characterized by humility, service and self-sacrifice even unto death on the Cross. His example does not deny or reject power and authority, but rather teaches us to radically embrace it and subvert them. As we do this, uniquely embracing our individual giftings and vocations, we are formed together into a unity born from diversity, transformed into Him in Whose Image we were created, the very Body of Christ.
As devastating as the use of power to force or demand some form of unity, so too will denying the unique gifts and callings within the Church disintegrate His Body. Both extremes seek to avoid the difficult path of conflict and chaos that will inevitably emerge as each of us face the challenge of not abusing or denying our Christ-endowed authority. Without question they are ultimately easier, but ultimately futile. Rather, we must seek together to be humble enough to submit to the Spirit as He works through the authority of others and equally humble as we respond to His leading to walk out our own.
