Bible Articles

C A R L   B.   G A R N E R PASTORS / POWER / PREACHERS The subject of power is on the minds of many today. Newspapers have been replete with articles on who really possesses the power in the Texas Longhorn football program. Pictures of the power-wielders were on a recent front page of the paper. The question: Do these men have the power to oust the football coach? Over in the middle east, Saddam is unquestionably the man with power in Iraq. He seems to enjoy keeping the major world powers, including the United States, in a state of nervous anticipation. His weapons include heretofore unacceptable and unethical forms of weapons, death-producing gasses and such like. He may not have power comparable to the United States, but his history of using those weapons on his own people makes him a powerful despot. Power is, of course, wielded in more than one way. During the Reagan years, Nancy was often said to wield considerable power with her husband. During FDR's presidency, Harry Hopkins and other friends had the "ear" of the president, thereby possessing a form of power. In our legislative bodies it is often said that the real power resides in those who chair the congressional committees. In many situations, it is invariably the person holding the purse strings that is in charge. It is not always the most obvious person who holds the real power in a particular sphere of society. Who wields power in the religious world? Church history has focused upon this question. Is the pope the most powerful religious leader in today's world? Or leaders of the Muslims, Hindus or Jews? It's hard to say. But who is it that holds the scepter of power in Christ's church? The person holding the purse strings? Is is the preacher? Or his wife? Is it some wealthy member? Is it Christ Himself? Is this question even significant? Yes, it is, because there are those who would like it better if elders were given no authority at all. They like the way denominations do it, where the "pastor" is in charge. He/she [she is OK now, you know] makes most of the major decisions, usually with the advice and consent of a board of delegates, deacons or "lay persons." In Austin recently we saw the inner workings of a major denomination laboring over this very question: who will wield the power and the purse in their denomination in the state of Texas? It is never a pretty sight. In the body of Christ there have been preachers who seemed to think that the power resides in them. If their following is strong enough, that local congregation literally is ruled by him. The Bible says that feeding the flock is the responsibility of the overseers. When it comes to purchasing land, hiring or firing the preacher, supporting missionaries, building facilities, and any other expedient matters, the elders have been given "power," or authority, to do so. It is right to ask, "to whom did God give authority to make decisions regarding expedient matters in the day-to-day operation of the church?" Someone must be responsible for making decisions. Elders [pastors, shepherds] must not be lords, but they do have sufficient authority to accomplish their work of oversight. It is wise to realize that the issue of "who wields the power" too often has its source in a disposition that is not truly biblical. The question of power may have other considerations. If leaders have been irresponsible, either financially or spiritually, the point is magnified. Preachers, like it or not, can wield great power, merely because they are before the people on a regular basis. He may have the respect of many because of his work, but there is a temptation to allow that respect to result in a power not approved by God. At this very moment, church buildings, bank accounts, property, contingency funds and leadership are being stolen by those who have formed a constituency, divided the church on some doctrinal matter, and then manipulated a minority, taking control of an entire congregation. It is not easy for a group of Elders (whom God intends to oversee the church) to bring about such a theft, simply because the plurality of men often deters such action, but it can happen. If it happens it is usually because elders have been derelict in their oversight. One or two elders with a following, or aided by the preacher, might usurp such control, but manipulation is the key in such occurrences. Who holds the power? Doesn't this whole scenario rest on an ungodly attitude in some who are entrusted with the "feeding" [not "fleecing"] of the flock? This whole idea of power indicates a great deal of misunderstanding. The real issue should be privilege, the fulfillment of responsibility, not power. Leaders who see their place as one of power are desperately in need of instruction. Preachers are privileged to proclaim the Gospel of Christ. Elders are privileged to take the oversight of the Body of Christ, 1 Peter 5:1-5. Full authority and power rest in the person of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, Matthew 28:18. The greatest power wielded by a preacher today is in the Gospel, God's Power unto salvation, Romans 1:16. Only a delegated authority rests with those qualified and having been ordained as elders or overseers of the church, Acts 14:23, Titus 1:5-11. Their work includes stopping the "mouths" of gainsayers who say or do things they ought not. The church is not like some political body, governed by men in "smoke-filled rooms." We are brothers and sisters, and would do well to remember both the words of Jesus and Marshall Keeble's paraphrase of them: "We all stand on level ground at the foot of the cross." Read Matthew 23:1-11.