Micro-Managing Elders
A couple of weeks ago, I was meeting with the elders in Castle Rock about a “Friends and Family Day.” We were going over the event by me asking for their input and choices. It was really simple stuff, do we want a potluck, are we going to give out gifts to the guests, and how do you want the worship and class. Little decisions about a Sunday. It was taking more time than I wanted, I am a little impatient sometimes. The elders were talking about what I requested, trying to make choices on the items. I had a great revelation in that room. This was completely a waste of time, the elders wanted a “Friends and Family Day,” “I had the most experience in getting this done,” and in the end I made the choices and got the program completed. So why was I asking the elders? I was asking because I have been trained to ask the elders everything. This is the natural training in most congregations. People believe that they cannot move ahead unless the elders approve every step. We make the elders micro-manage and than we blame them for being micro-managers. They are doing what we want them to do and then we get mad at them for doing it. So I started changing. For an example, I presented a new ministry of prayer to our prayer deacon. I outlined some events and the strategy of the ministry to the deacon. He asked me if I gained approval from the elders. I said “no.” Why would I. Why would I have to ask for approval for a ministry that God already approved? I already had approval from the Lord to pray so why ask for elder approval? Think about this? What eldership is against members coming together to pray for the power of God to reign in the congregation? I told the elders I did this at a later date. But I did not feel that I had to get permission to have a deacon help the church to focus on prayer. I am convince that some ministers or members would feel the need to gain approval. In some areas, you must consult the elders on certain stuff, but if God approved it already, then why go through the hoop of another opinion. We can think for ourselves. In the church we must be careful about not forcing the eldership into a mirco-managing role, and then once we do, we complain about them doing exactly what we made them do.
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- Make Elders Look Good
- Review of “Managing the Congregation”
- Expectations of Elders
- Sheepdogs and Elders
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A lot more could be said, and there could be conditions, but the principle seems sound.
The micro-management of the elders rest on a faulty assumption that the eldership is the final authority in a local church. I believe this as unbiblical as the practice in some church fellowships where the evangelist/preaching-pastor is the final authority. Remember, Paul neither instructed Timothy and Titus to place themselves above or below the elderships they were to establish. But I think there are deeper problems in a church if either the elders or the minister(s) think of themselves in terms of “rank” (for implied in that term is the lack of humility and servanthood that are marks of the leadership qualities Jesus sought for the church).
Both the evangelist and elders are leaders in the church along with several other leaders God has blessed the church with (cf. Eph 4.11-13). I believe these leaders need to see themselves as a leadership team with each group having specific roles. Sometimes the evangelist(s) will want to move forward with something but the shepherds of the church are saying that they do not believe this would be spiritually healthy for some or all of the church at this point. In such a case, the evangelist needs to recognize that that is shepherds being shepherds and not push forward on something that could be spiritually damaging to the flock. On the other hand, the evangelist (who is focused on the advancement of the gospel/mission) knows that the church must proceed forward in a certain manner if its is to advance in its missional purpose. In such a case, the shepherds need to recognize this and support the evangelist in leading the church forward in this manner.
I do think that if it comes to a point where it is a constant strain between the leadership (evangelist, shepherds, etc…) because they are never on the same page then a change needs to be made, for the sake of God’s mission and the health of the local church. What those changes are will depend on every unique situation. However, it will neither bennefit the mission of God nor the spiritual health of a local church if its leaders do not share the same basic vision and objectives along with a respect for each others roles within the church leadership.
Good post and one that needs more exploration.
Grace and peace,
Rex
Great thoughts Matthew. One thought about this, I believe people (myself included) ask for permission/input so that in the event something goes bad we can then pass the buck.
We should feel confident to proceed if God is with us. No Fear! There will always be doubters and we will just have to deal with them, not pass them on to the elders.