Wanted: leader for local church. No salary, no power, prestige, or assumed authoritative position. Benefits include opportunity to set an example for others in order to bring glory to God and a reward in heaven. Applicants need not apply. If interested, walk in a manner worthy of your calling and let your light shine before men by serving others, your leadership will be recognized.
One of the biggest hang ups one will run into after leaving institutional Christianity is lack of specifically defined leadership. Well…leadership in a living and active form through the members of Christ’s body anyway, we always have the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. The biggest obstacle is being submissive to recognized leadership in its present form. While much of the example that is set is worthy of imitation, the claims of God given authority over the laity have a way of choking out our desire to look to them for guidance. That kind of emphasis on position is “not to be so” among the family of God and therefore should be rejected.
So, maybe the ad should read:
Wanted: disciples who know haw to recognize and follow the Godly example set by others. Must be willing to look in unexpected places and have the ability to discern between what is commendable and what is “not to be so among you” . If interested, whatever things are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent or worthy of praise in the lives of others, think about and emulate these things no matter the source.
What do you think? Which ad would get the most response? Which is the greatest need in Christianity today?
Having read a number of ads for "ministers" I can say that what you wrote is not going to get a lot of resumes and sermon samples.
ReplyDeleteHave you been taking applications in your search for a minister, Arthur? Perhaps the search committee would do better by answering the second ad ;)
DeleteLOL...I'm afraid Arthur is spot on. But so are you...this is an awesome post. So glad I found this blog!
ReplyDeleter.m. @ newviewfromhere.wordpress.com
Well I'm glad you found me and my musings as well. Welcome to the conversation :)
DeleteI agree with most of what you said here Bobby. What is your interpretation of 1 Tim. 3?
ReplyDeleteThe disciples learned how to walk with God by observing their leader walk with His Father. When He said, "Follow me." He meant walk in a close, loving, leaning, trusting relationship, with our Father as you see me do.
DeleteHantie,
Deletea few points on 1 Tim 3:
-"the office of" did not exist in the original, it was added
-being a leader doesn't necessarily mean you exercise oversight
-all of the descriptions of an overseer and a servant would be great ways in which any believer can lead
Rissa,
DeleteAmen. I would say any believer who can effectively do this should be considered a leader. Like Paul said "imitate me as I imitate Christ".
I love 1 Tim. 3
Delete"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer[a] must be..."
"If anyone aspires" means anyone, not merely a select few who have been to seminary, not merely those who are voted to a limited size board to guard the property and programs and money. It is not merely those who have "felt a call to the ministry".
Every single brother who is growing up into the full stature of Christ will aspire to this. If they don't aspire to this, they have plateaued in their faith somewhere down in consumerville.
Bobby is correct. The word "Office" is not in the original text. Tradition addicted translators added it there. They have never seen organic reproductive oversight that rejects titles or positions in obedience to Christ. They have only seen the chain-of-command kind that flows from our past connection to the Roman Catholic church. It is an unreformed ball and chain on the protestant church. The saints like it because it matches up with their fleshly desire to a lazy faith that outsources their responsibilities to hired men or a select few. The clergy like it for the pay check and the ego boost from dominating the gathering time with only their own personal expression of truth.
Oversight is very simple and specific. It is not over-taking, over-bossing, over-thinking, over-visioning, over-deciding or over-anything else. Just oversight.
Bobby,
ReplyDeleteMaybe a combination of both? Still, I don't believe it is legitimate to advertise for a leader. I am convinced they ought to be raised up from amongst those who have a long relationship with, and are well known in, a group of believers.
Both ads are awesome! They're of equal importance, in my opinion. Great, creative idea!
ReplyDeleteDon't know how I missed this earlier, Bobby.
ReplyDeleteI for one would love to see an ad or two like that, but I'm also with Arthur on this; you probably wouldn't receive too many resumes.
I enjoyed the post. Blessings to you and yours :)