October 27

Day 227: Authority Problem

I've witnessed a phenomena since living and working in Alaska. I've certainly seen it in times and places in the past, but it's more pronounced here. An authority problem.

More than one of our Radiant churches is currently rolling out membership. And as expected, a number of people are "pushing back." More so, I've been observing new church planters in our state.

The phenomena goes like this: Several of our state's new young church planters are entrepreneurs. They're starters. They're courageous. They're risk takers. They have a vision, and they can communicate it. And they can gather people. They have big dreams, and are willing to do what it takes to see fruition.

But, they choose to do it alone. They are hesitant, even unwilling to join with others. No denomination, no church-planting network, no state-wide affiliation will ever see their names on the ledger.

Some years ago, I was asked by an aspiring church-planter if one or more of the organizations I am a part of would fund his new church plant. I said, "Maybe; but you'd need to join that organization first." His response? Actually didn't say a word. He just stared at me. Awkward silence. End of conversation.

Aspiring church-planters want the benefits of a broader leadership community. They want to hang out with the big dogs. They want and ask for help when needed. And they want approval and validation.

But, they don't want any of the above, if it requires any authority over them. They want to preserve some relational distance, so they cannot be too well known. They're looking for connections, for sure, but not accountability. Kind of like the guy who sleeps with his girlfriend, but refuses to marry her.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-21, the apostle Paul sees this too. He starts this off with, "From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh." Meaning, the attributes and gifts of any person are not what is to be valued.

Paul wrote to two young church-planters; Timothy and Titus. He lists for them some qualifications for elders. Almost all of the qualifications are about character issues.

And no one can develop or preserve those same qualifications without being accountable to other leaders. Giving them permission to speak into their lives. Calling them out when necessary. Not letting them hide behind their skills and personality.

No many verses later, Paul writes, "Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ." What does an ambassador do? He represents the One who sent him.

As leaders in churches we are called to represent the message, the methods and the character of the King. Was/Is this not the same King who willingly submitted Himself to being a human being like us? Wasn't He the One who prayed in anguish that "Not my will, but Yours be done?" Wasn't He the One who died for us, in our place?

When church-planters refuse to submit to others, those who want the best for them and their church, they also lapse into another state. In time, they refuse to submit to anyone in their own church. The pastor's gifts and productivity cause the other leaders to ignore his character faults and self-serving motivations.

Oh that our Lord the King would protect our church from that. From me. For to run away from any authority and accountability, while demanding that others submit, is an open declaration of war.

A personal war against our God the King. Because we don't want accountability. Because we have an authority problem.

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church Juneau