Who should we follow?
9 Jan
In a class I am taking on Ecclesiology (study of the church) and the Sacraments I heard my professor, Dr. Sinclair Ferguson, say the following:
“Appointing someone to a leadership position, whether officially or unofficially, in the church based on heritage, pedigree, education level, etc is not simply a Roman way of looking at things, but a Fallen way of looking at things.”
We began with a discussion on the idea of succession in the Roman Catholic Church. The belief is held that the Apostles held additional secrets not revealed in Scripture, and those secrets have been passed down from generation to generation. This is at least part of the reason why the Pope is believed to be a direct descendant of Peter. As the quote states, however, it is not only a problem that is seen within the Catholic church. Dr. Ferguson went on to share how, throughout history and today, a majority of Protestant leaders are appointed based on family lines, degree titles and charisma.
In other arenas of life we recognize that this way of appointing leaders is wrong. In government we have, at least on paper, moved past the idea of a family line ruling a country just because of their family line. In business or education it is very clear and often protested when someone who is not qualified for a position is promoted. We don’t accept this as a legitimate way of choosing who to follow.
So in the church who should we follow?
From my time in class and studying Timothy and Titus, I will follow, and encourage others to follow a leader who:
1. Holds Right Doctrine
2. Is able to effectively teach that Right Doctrine
3. Lives a life that shows they believe that Right Doctrine
Good stuff Jon.
Thanks Amanda, Keep your posts coming too!
They should also be successful businessmen.
According to the last standard then, how can we choose anyone for leadership?
Cam,
I’m assuming you meant #3 on my list, and not Tyson’s requirement. If you meant Tyson’s, then I think I’m a great candidate because of the abundant success of Vivien Ly Designs
As for my requirement #3, here are my thoughts:
How do we choose someone as a leader who demonstrates “a life that shows they believe Right Doctrine”?
1. Carefully. Go into the process knowing that you are a human making judgment calls based on another human’s heart. There will be times that someone looks genuine but isn’t.
2. Slowly. If you have not had time to observe and get to know them before putting them in leadership, don’t do it. I love the way many churches choose Elders, but quietly train and observe them for a year or more before officially and publicly appointing them.
3. Listly (?). Use tangible lists (1 Timothy 3) as an easy way to weed out phonies.
4. Doctrine check. It is one thing to say that you believe that Scripture is inerrant and sufficient. It is another thing to make decisions based on that belief. This is where making leadership appointments slowly comes in handy. Someone who claims to trust Scripture as the final authority, but continually makes major or minor decisions based on feeling or general consensus might not actually trust Scripture after all.
Good question Cam, I think it raises a good point that if we are looking for a complete or perfect leader to follow … we will never submit to anyone. That being said I think Scripture gives some solid guidelines to help us make those decisions to appoint leaders.
@Cameron, do you mean to say that no one will ever qualify if that is the standard?
@Jon, I like your point about making life decisions consistent with right doctrine. Doctrine is not a checklist, it is the eternal truth of who God is and what He (with His Son and Spirit) does. If we are called to imitate Him in our everyday life. Doctrine is the most practical thing in the world.
*…in our everyday life, doctrine is…*