Agreement vs. Submission

.... Throughout the latter part of this module, we’ve discussed the role of authority in church leadership. A leaders' true authority pertains to the practical tasks that accompany his calling (Mark 13:34), yet they do not have an authority over other Christians. For that type of interpersonal authority has been reserved for Jesus Christ alone:

.... "Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand."

(2 Corinthians 1:24)

.... Nevertheless, in carrying out their tasks, Christian leaders will constantly run into interpersonal considerations. They are servants to other Christians and must constantly interact with them (Mark 10:42-43). Since they do not have an actual authority over them in doing so, God places an emphasis on our own submission instead. This was discussed at length in an earlier posting.

.... . . . But what happens when we basically disagree with our Christian leaders? That’s the rub, isn’t it? So let’s fairly consider the leader’s perspective as well:

.... "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you."

(Hebrews 13:17)

.... Let’s say that you disagree with something your leader wants to do. Ask yourself, 'What is the actual nature of this disagreement?' Do you think he’s making an unbiblical decision? That’s one thing. If he really is making it a choice between submitting to him and submitting to the Lord, of course you must take your stand for God; and if that is the case, and you’re mature enough in the Lord to make such a stand, you must also be mature enough to hope the best for this leader, trust that at least his intentions are good, and pray, pray, pray for him!

.... "Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably."

(Hebrews 13:18)

.... But on the other hand, what if your disagreement is only a matter of preferences? That is something else entirely. Let's say that the leader wants to buy blue carpet for the sanctuary but you prefer red. There is no issue of right or wrong between blue and red; no truth is at stake, for it is merely a matter of subjective preference. So for love’s sake you should be willing to yield to your leader and be supportive of his wishes. And this is what the Lord Himself would tell you:

.... "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

(James 3:17-18)

.... Or what if your disagreement is based on an organizational matter? Let’s say you’re part of an evangelism team and the leader wants to reach out to an apartment complex. But you want to go and reach out to a nursing home. Both, of course, are good things to do, but you disagree on the final choice. This is where submission plays an important role:

.... Submission is not the same thing as agreement. You can disagree, and still submit. Basically, submission means to get 'under' (sub) someone else’s mission; and remember that the leader has an actual calling from God to lead in the way that he does. Do you have the same calling in this particular decision? If you think that you do, then you should go to the nursing home on your own. But if not, you should be submissive and let the leader lead in the role where God has placed him. Remember that leaders have to give an account to God to a degree that followers don’t, and for this same reason God is far more likely to direct the group through the leaders than through any of its other members.

.... Finally, remember the underlying theme of leadership in this module. God promotes on the basis of proven faithfulness. One day, you may be the one who is leading -- but this will not occur unless you first prove yourself in following. So be submissive in such ways, even if you disagree on the particulars, and treat these leaders as you would want others to treat you if you were the leader. Because one day, for good or for ill, you shall reap what you have sown in this regard.

You have now completed the Ministry Module. To proceed to the next module, click here

Daily Bible Reading: 2 Thessalonians 2