"Ministers today can't see this mysterious or theoretical body of Christ, and therefore do not feel compelled to find their place as a member (body part) of that mysterious living organism that exists without walls, neatly defined parameters, or organizational structure. They do feel compelled to be the head of something, and that something is often called "a ministry" or "a church", and it's usually an organization, rather than an organism. Rather than finding their place in the body, with macroscopic vision, seeking the health and well-being of the whole, they become extremely microscopic in their vision. They can only see, and therefore are supremely concerned with, their ministry, their church, or their organization. They are often too focused on building their ministry to really build the body of Christ. "
"I believe that Jesus can lead His people without a religious hierarchy... I believe the place to start is to begin to look rather warily upon those who love to have the preeminence, and especially upon the system that forces that preeminence upon men who would not choose it for themselves, had they but known that what we've seen as church leadership for centuries is not God's will after all."
from: Mark Frost
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It seems that many of us have questioned the status quo. Mark Frost said "the place to start has been looking warily upon those who love to have preeminence."
ReplyDeleteThe idea of one hired, professional pastor leading "his" church while the rest of us spectate from the audience is ridiculous. We know this is not what the bible teaches. But this model will continue to be promoted because men love preeminence, admiration, respect, the center stage... you get the point.
You would think that the life of Jesus would make it clear that humility should be the hallmark of his followers lives.
As Buechner puts it, "...a God who was born into a cave among hicks and the steaming dung of beasts only to grow up and die on a cross between crooks."
If THIS is the God you and I claim to follow, then maybe we should rethink what his followers might look like. Maybe start to question the ear-tickling teachings of those who love an audience.
talon