The Principle Of Shared Leadership

The Principle Of Shared Leadership

 “It is not reason that we should leave the Word of God, and serve tables.”  Acts 6:2

In Acts 6 we find a great place to begin a discussion concerning Church Government.  It is with an understanding of Church Government that we will understand the channel of authority in the church and the role that each person plays in leadership.  Special emphasis in this lesson will be on the Deacon and his role in shared leadership in the Church.

Before going further, it is to be understood that the method God has chosen to govern His church is called “Theocracy.”

Þ   Theo - God          Cracy - rules

Theocracy means that God rules.  God has always wanted to rule in the hearts of men.  God has always chosen leaders, but at the same time remained the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords over His people.  Those that He has chosen are expected to live in strict accordance and obedience to the Word of God and to the voice of the Spirit.  If this is not done then leadership has failed in their office.  Man cannot rule God’s Kingdom any way he pleases.

Everyone in God’s kingdom is subject to a higher power (Romans 13:1). 

In the Church we do not believe in dictatorship; that one man rules the church.  Neither do we believe in a system of communism; the elders rule together.  In the Church there is not any system of monarchy; that the rule is done through inheritance (passed down from generation to generation).  The Church is not like politics where democracy works. This would mean that the congregation rules the church.

The method that God chose to rule His Church was established through Moses.  He is the Old Testament example of the way God wanted to set up the authority in the church.

One day Korah said, “Moses, you take too much upon yourself!”  (Numbers 16:3).  Look at the result found in Numbers 16:28-33.

A second story is found in Numbers 12 when Miriam, the sister of Moses said, “Hath the Lord indeed spoken only by Moses? Hath He not spoken also by us?” (Numbers 12:2). As a result she became leprous. This is a type of sin in the Old Testament.

David gave excellent advice in Psalm 105:15.  He was a man after God’s heart. On two occasions he could have killed Saul (1 Samuel 26:8-9).

Even though the Pastor is God’s leader in the Church. He should seek the counsel of God’s people.  He should not be abusive or insulting.  He should always show respect and love for his flock. He should seek advice from his councilors (local church board) and be very prayerful in making decisions in the church.  It was never intended by God that the pastor do all of the work in the Church.  The early Church found this out when they started to be involved with waiting on tables. The answer was found in appointing deacons to take care of these needs.  Moses had also experienced this same problem and was given a command to appoint elders to assist him. It has been said that deacons are responsible for the practical, non-spiritual functions of the church.  However, they can be used under the supervision and authority of the pastor to perform both spiritual and non-spiritual duties in the church.

There was a twofold purpose of appointing deacons in the early Church. The main purpose was to allow the pastor to continue in prayer and ministry of the Word.

The second purpose was to give authority to capable men who could handle matters in the church.

The deacons are men who share the burden and vision of the pastor for the work of the Lord. 

Moses was told to appoint men who would share in the burden he felt.  He was burdened with the needs of the people.  Numbers 11:16-17 says, “They will help you carry the burden so that you will not have to carry it alone.” Jethro, Moses’s father-in-law also gave him similar advice in Exodus 18:17-23.  From this we see that a deacon can be appointed/ elected to cover any area of NEED in the church (whether it is spiritual or practical).  In some countries Deacons would be called Department Heads, Coordinators, and Directors.

For the Church to grow, a pastor must train leaders. He cannot and should not be everything.

The deacons are also in place to provide counsel. The pastor can call upon his deacons for counsel. Before the pastor acts in business matters he would be wise to seek the counsel of the deacons (Proverbs 1:5; 15:22; 20:18).  They should also help in discipline of members. Joint action spreads the responsibility and lessens the reactions.  The deacon should help in HARMONY and unity. A deacon can stop gossip, straighten out misunderstandings, explain why certain actions have taken place, and keep general harmony. Hand in hand; pastors and deacons can share leadership to advance the Kingdom of God.