Of Leaders And Servants In The Church

C H U R C H   R E F O R M   S E R I E S

By Biblicism Institute

Jesus called His disciples to be servants. Period.

“Whoever would be great among you must be your servant.” Matthew 20:26

However, contrary to the Lord’s command, so-called “church leaders” have given themselves fancy titles like Reverend, Monsignor, Pope, and Pastor.

Reverend comes from the word Revere, meaning Worship; Monsignor is from the Italian word Monsignore, meaning My Lord; Pope is from the Greek word Pappas, meaning Father; and finally Pastor comes from the Latin Pastor, meaning Shepherd.

“The Lord is my Shepherd.” Psalm 23:1

Pride and arrogance could not be any clearer.

“Beware of the scribes who like to walk around in long robes, and like respectful greetings in the market places, and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets, who devour widows’ houses, and for appearance’s sake offer long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

THE FALLACY

To say that these so-called “leaders” are strangely obsessed with their “leadership” role would be an understatement. To pedestal themselves even further, there are classes, conferences, seminars, and books about being a “church leader.”

Our Lord Jesus never called anyone to be a “leader.” As a matter of fact, there are no titles in the church, only duties. We are all simply brothers and sisters in the faith. See Understanding the DUTIES of Ministry for an exposé.

“But you are not to be called ‘Teacher,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. And do not call anyone on earth ‘Father,’  [like today when a catholic priest is called ‘Father’] for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called Leaders (or Masters), for you have one Leader (or Master), the Messiah.” Matthew 23:8-10

The leader of the church assembly is Christ alone, working through His Holy Spirit.

“Christ is also the head of the assembly, which is his body…” Colossians 1: 18

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:26

There’s not one directive in the bible that ascribes leadership positions within the Body of Christ. Each one of us has a particular gift. No one gift of service is superior to the others, and no one gift places one Christian above the rest, because the head of every man is Christ. See Understanding the DUTIES of Ministry for an exposé.

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is to prophesy, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is to attend to others’ needs, then attend to them; if it is to teach, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is to give, then give generously; if it is to preside, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” Romans 12: 6-8

“But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.” 1 Corinthians 11:3

PRIDE, ARROGANCE, AND PERVERTED SPEECH

Where on earth do these so-called “leaders” get the idea that they are leaders and not servants? Why would they even call themselves so?

“Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.” Proverbs 8:13

If the King of Kings and the Creator of the Universe can  “stoop so low” – forgive the bad expression, just making a point – as to wash the disciples’ feet (John 13: 1-17), why do so many church “leaders” think that their most important job is to hide behind a pulpit and talk and talk? Or tweet and tweet? Or write books and books? Or parade and parade themselves on TV?

And the list of these vanities goes on and on.

“You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?” Matthew 7:16

Jesus never talked much. The longest He ever did was in the Beatitudes. He mostly accomplished things. And all the things He accomplished had to do with touching the lives of individuals, often one by one.

“And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books that would be written.” John 21:25

So, dear “leaders,” where are your Jesus-like fruits? Or in the immortal words of the so sweet and tangy grandma of the old Wendy’s commercial: Where is the beef?

You all get an A+ for talking, but a lot of talk does not rack up much except one thing:

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking.” Proverbs 10:19

Throughout the years, these “leaders” have talked so much that some of them ended up introducing, through evil and perverted speech, many false dogmas that we at Biblicism Institute feel compelled to rectify. Perusing this site will give you an idea as to why we, simple servants/volunteers, do what we do here.

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16

THE HIGH LIFE

There’s a reason why these so-called “leaders” don’t want to be servants, though sometimes they pay lip service to being so.

A servant can’t live the high life – unless of course he works hard for it in a non-ministry capacity, and without exploiting his fellow Christians like a parasite living off its host.

For instance, not only does the Pope live a life of luxury, but when he travels he requires an additional boatload of money: private airplane, security guards, red carpets, hobnobbing with powerful politicians, etc. See Is the Pope Peter’s Successor? 

Contrast this with Jesus.

“Jesus replied, ‘Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.’ ” Luke 9:58

Jesus had no abode on earth He could call home, and every time some rich individual would approach him, this was the gist of what He usually said.

“Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell all your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ ” Matthew 19:21

See Who Should Christians Give Their Money To?

However, it’s not just the Pope.

Most protestant preachers live the high life as well, while many in the flock go through hardship – watch video below. They lie about the tithe and ministry money, and continually perform the unbiblical liturgy they call Church Service. In addition, they constantly side with certain political parties, oblivious to how Jesus dealt with politicians – He told them the truth about their characters.

“The Pharisees approached, saying to Him, ‘Go away, leave here, for Herod wants to kill You.’ And He said to them, ‘Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I reach My goal’.’ “ Luke 13:31,32

When will a Pope or a Preacher call the POTUS a fox or a rascal or a murderer?

No wonder Jesus said this:

“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves… Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7: 15, 21-23

CONCLUSION

It’s time for Church Reform.

“No one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment… Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins…” Matthew 9: 16, 17

Read also: Jesus was not a Jew

Read also: A Brief History of the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah