Not all things are pleasing to God

For the better part of two millennia, leadership models have been informed by the clergy-laity models of the Greek-Roman-Christian era. It was ratified by the steep organizational structures of Rome, which resulted from the unilateralism of Julius Caesar. Prior to his crossing of the Rubicon, Rome had maintained a progressive albeit imperfect Republic based on constitutional and democratic principles.

The Greeks also had a steep leadership structure, but both they and the Romans adapted their leadership models from the God-King models of near east kingdoms like Persia and Syria. The result was a world with a strongly centrist approach to leadership. Although developing nations probably needed a more martial approach to government, including variations of slavery and subjugation, the underlying driver was an ancient mystery that John the Divine referred to as “mystery Babylon the great”. It is rooted in what we see in the mountaintop temptation, where the Devil offered to trade all the kingdoms of the world for Christ’s soul.

At the top of all centrist systems is effectively a devilish throne – and that is sadly true of the church and the world. According to the Book of Revelations, a significant body of churches or ecumenical Christians will subscribe to a false prophet who will endorse the ultimate, one-world, antichrist government.

So what is God’s way? Well Paul was rather clear on the subject. The 1st book of Corinthians, Ephesians, Romans 12 and other references, point to an inclusive and participative leadership model. Paul referred to a Commonwealth, implying a shared destiny and an internal economy. Paul also taught on the “Body of Christ”, pointing to one head, Christ, from whom the whole body is fitly joined together and grows into oneness. I don’t have the space to say more now, but it was God’s intent that we decrease or step aside to facilitate the headship of Christ and that we also defer to each other, so that real discipleship can be outworked through a believer-priesthood – until we reach a unity of faith a complete concept of fullness of Christ.

One of the most enlightened commentaries on leadership has been made by a contemporary thinker, Jim Collins. He effectively validated Paul’s model when he showed that good-to-great leaders are invisible, self-deprecating, humble, empowering and yet still so in touch with the distinction of their roles – namely fierce resolve. The latter role is the backbone on which others build - It is not the sticks on which marionettes dangle as they dance to their master’s voice.

I read an article today decrying the secularization of believers – leadership has become a commercialized platform and is steadily drifting from the heart of God into something that is dangerously at risk of reinforcing the throne of Satan.

(c) Peter Eleazar @ www.4u2live.net