Power and Authority

Jesus called [the twelve] together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave –just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Matthew 20:25 -28

The issue of power and authority often exercises my mind as a Christian minister.  This morning it came to the forefront of my thinking when I read an article from an evangelical magazine that stated "When [God] delegated authority in the church to elders....".  It made me ask where do we read that in scripture.  The answer is that we cannot find that in scripture though perhaps it would be possible to infer it from a few verses. However, we need to be careful that we do not build belief and practise upon odd verses of the Bible without setting our understanding in the wider context of scripture.  Living, as we are, in days when there is all too often an abuse of power and authority, it is important for all in Christian leadership of any form to be clear on this point.

When I did my university studies in business management we spent some time considering power, authority and influence.  We explored their nature, where they come from, and how they are exercised.   Put simply, power is the capacity or ability to make things happen.  Authority is the right to exercise such a power. Influence is the potential to make things happen but probably without relevant authority. Power is sometimes innate.  So we talk about someone having a powerful personality.  It can also come from resources at a person's disposal. So a person in possession of a weapon would have the power to take another's life.  But to have power without having authority is a dangerous thing. In a Christian context it often leads to hut and damage.

It is implicit in authority that this is almost always something that has been delegated. Almost anyone will have the ability to exercise influence. So, within a Christian context where does authority come from if not from God?  Within Churches and organisations it will be derived from whatever constitutional form that enables it.  A trust deed will authorise the trustees by granting them certain powers and responsibilities. In some denominations ordination is understood as bestowing authority.  While I recognise and respect the legal aspects of authority generated by such regulations, I see that often this sits uncomfortably with the teaching of Jesus, as illustrated in the passage quoted above.

If power is exercised without authority it becomes bullying and certainly unloving. Far too often that conduct is experienced.  It accounts for many who have fallen away from the faith, and for many more for whom attendance at church business meetings at various levels is something they wish to avoid.

Is there scriptural evidence that God grants anyone the authority to exercise power over another? In 1 Thessalonians 2:6 Paul asserts that apostles could have (but chose not to) exercise authority.  This is an authority exercised in love and gentleness and not autocratically.

In Titus 2:15 Paul urges Titus to exercise his ministry to teach, rebuke and exhort with all authority.  But this authority is derived from his appointment by Paul who had deliberately left Titus in Crete to complete a task Paul had entrusted to him.  Incidentally the same Greek word Paul uses in 2:15 is found in 1:3 where Paul speaks about the ministry with which he was entrusted. In other words Paul believed himself to have been acting under Christ's direct authority and had delegated some of that to Titus.

The only other possible reference to authority (only in some versions) within a church that I am aware of is in Hebrews 13:17 and the word for authority is not found in the Greek text, though the text does assert obedience and submission.

Those that heard Jesus bore witness that his teaching was with distinct authority.  People witnessed his authority over sicknesses and demons.  But as our passage from Matthew sets out plainly, he did not exercise any kind of authority over people, and that is the example he calls us to follow.  I cannot find any scripture to justify an elder having a right to exercise authority over another person. In 1 Timothy 3 the qualifications set out for those desirous of assuming such responsibility to take care of the church of God clearly would not suit someone eager for personal power.  Elders/Bishops are overseers and not lords.

I can find plenty of evidence for God delegating responsibility to serve him and proclaim his word.  But that is very different from the kind of authoritarian leadership sometimes found in some churches today.  Of course, as I have already pointed out authority may come from man-made constitutions, and that might well bring obligations upon those charged with leadership.  But that in no way excludes us from following the example of Jesus.  Leadership in a Christian church should always be marked by humility and gentleness.  Any other style of authority exercised within churches or Christian organisations certainly does not have its origins in God.

Let's all pray for those in any position of leadership that they will stand firm against all that challenges their ministry in these days; and pray too that their ministry will exemplify the values of the kingdom of God. Give thanks for the many godly Christian leaders.

Recent Ministry Activities
Ministry at Yelvertoft continues to be encouraging. A significant schedule of building work has been completed.  Sunday attendances have seen new folk coming and the Bible Discussion Group has been very stimulating (working through Hebrews).

Rebecca, our CF Area Children and Families Worker has made a good start. My own schools work has continued to bring joy as has my work in prison.

I recently met with some other leaders of rural mission organisations as we explore ways of helping one anothers' ministries.

Matters for Prayer
Regular ministry in and from the East Midlands.

Preparation for the Rural Evangelism Network Conference on 13th and 14th March in Selly Oak, Birmingham. Despite this falling within Lent I am encouraged by those attending.  Not all those who are part of this Network have booked in so please pray as I follow this up.  The better the representation in this conference the greater the value to the participants and to the kingdom of God.

Many Christian and other charitable organisations are suffering badly from a lack of income.  2013 is likely to witness the loss of several of these.  At the same time many of the denominations have had to cut back on mission activities because of lack of funds.  Because of the way we are structured I am able to conduct my rural ministry activities for around only £5,000 per year, which is incredibly little..  But we value your prayers that all needs will be met.

Later this month the trustees of Action for Christ will be meeting with people from the Charity Commission as we seek to explore our future.  This is the ministry in which I worked from 1963 to 1988, and I am now a trustee.  The organisation was plunged into extreme difficulties as a consequence of the conduct of an executive over recent years.  Please pray as I work with fellow trustees and the charity commission.  There is a lot of paperwork before the event, and wisdom is needed.

Thank you for your fellowship and support.

Barry