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| Questions about: Guidance |
| Anne: (03/22/08) How do you balance obedience to God with submission to authority? What happens when God has told you to do something, others have affirmed that it is God’s will, and someone with authority in the church has told you that you can’t do it? How can you be obedient to God and submissive to authority within the church?
I’ve read books such as Community 101 (Bilezikian), which says “Expect and demand to utilize your spiritual gifts without hindrance within the context of community…each Christian is directly accountable to God for his or her use of spiritual gifts in the work of the kingdom.” (Pg. 179). Also, Leadership Next (Gibbs), talks about empowerment (pgs. 100-101). But how do you respond when God has made it clear what he wants you to do but you but a person with authority over you has not empowered you to do it? |
| Jack: Not an easy question, Anne. It is important to seek the Lord, listen to His voice (as He speaks through Scripture or other means) and have the confirmation of others. It is frustrating when the power structure in the church opposes what we feel the Lord is making clear to us. It would have been easier to answer your question if I knew what the issue was!
Some points to ponder: 1) "When God has told you to do something" is always subjective, unless it is based on a concrete word of Scripture. 2) God takes organizational authority very seriously. These persons are usually older in the Lord and have been entrusted to give leadership and govern in the church. They usually have more experience as well. On the other hand, they may be exercising their authority on the basis of personal preference or tradition (which may be wise or just part of the church's corporate culture). 3) Our natural response needs to be humility, especially if we are younger. (Note Peter's words in 1 Peter 5.) 4) If I were you, I would take some time to pray, reflect on how the Lord's word came to you, and how it may really be your own desires influencing your interpretation or reading of Scripture. Ask the Lord to search your heart, give you wisdom, and either confirm the word to you or help you appreciate the individual with authority's point of view. 5) If you still feel strongly about your point of view, ask for an interview with the individual, explain how this word came to you, why it is important to you, and ask the individual on what basis he (or she) has a negative response. If you argue with him or her, make sure it is with an attitude of humility. 6) The individual's response may not satisfy you. I would advise you to obey for a time, asking the Lord to change the person's attitude, change your own understanding of the Lord's leading, or strengthen your own conviction. Is it a theological issue? A personal preference? A changing of the status quo? 7) If the leading persists, I would encourage you to go to the Pastor and express your concern. 8) If you still feel blocked, you will have to face how important the issue is - whether it's worth leaving the church over. I would not encourage you to disobey the authority and remain in the same church, but this would need to be a very important issue and after an appropriate time of going through the above procedure. I would like to see the context in which Bilzikian writes. I feel this quote is a bit strong. If an individual "expects and demands" to use the gift of tongues in public assembly, for example, when such an outburst would cause confusion, I would think that those presiding would be right in exercising restraint. Empowerment is very important, and is the way older leaders help younger leaders and those with potential have the freedom to emerge, but once again, in appropriate ways. Older leaders are more conservative, but maintain stability and prevent inappropriate behavior. Younger leaders bring freshness, contribute to the breaking of traditions and molds that are no longer relevant, but can cause confusion. Both are necessary and need to work together in harmony. May the Lord give you discernment, patience, humility, wisdom, and courage as you seek to follow His will. Jack P.S. An interesting illustration comes from Church History. When two young men in the Moravian community in the time of Zinzendorf felt they were being called to be missionaries to the West Indies, the leaders said, “Wait a while until we discern the Lord’s will on this matter.” They waited a year (!). Finally, the leaders felt the time had come, drew lots, and the men were chosen, and then sent. I cannot help but feel that during these year of waiting in patience and humility the men learned important lessons which prepared them for the very difficult task that lay before them. |
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