I heard a message about church leadership styles which I would like to share with you.
Corporate Style
Many of our churches today run on a “corporate” leadership style. First, they employ a CEO (the pastor) who sets the vision of the church and everyone else “lays down” or adapts their own vision to follow his. They then elect a board of directors (oversight team) to assist the pastor with the decisions he makes. Next they elect managers (leadership team) to develop and run various departments within the church to cater for all different age groups and people groups. Then they have the laity who are expected to be involved in as many departments as possible, thereby making them too busy to spend time in the “real world”.
I can’t find anything in the Bible that supports this style of leadership and yet it seems to be such a popular style today. The early church was a group of believers who gathered together whenever they could, wherever they could, to share scripture, sing songs, share personal testimonies, eat and drink together, develop relationships and provide for those in need. There was no one person who was “qualified” to run the group. They followed the leading of the Holy Spirit and each person was accountable to the others in the group. There is very little in many churches today that resembles the early church.
Midwife Style
Another style of church leadership is the “midwife” style. When a pregnant woman is ready to give birth, she seeks the assistance of a midwife. The midwife, through her training, experience and skills, assists the woman to safely give birth to her newborn child.
A pastor who leads in this style is there to help each member of his congregation give birth to whatever it is that God has planted within them. Through his experience, knowledge of God’s word, personal testimony and love for his people, he can assist, guide, prepare, train and encourage people to fulfil the personal vision and purpose God has given them. This purpose can be fulfilled with or without his help (just like a woman can have a baby without a midwife), but it is safer, less painful and more effective with his guidance.
This style of leadership is much closer to resembling the early church style and, from what I have observed, is much more effective in fulfilling the purpose of the church.
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4 comments:
"A pastor who leads in this style is there to help each member of his congregation give birth to whatever it is that God has planted within them."
And the pastor doesn't assume he/she knows what that is that God is trying to birth in a person.
I like this analogy very much. Thanks for sharing.
i could write books about the stuff i'm reading here. but i won't. not yet.
just wanted you to know i am reading and that i am loving what i am reading here. i think you're on the right track. be encouraged. it's not an easy path to ask these questions, think these things, and finally, ACT on their logical implications.
that's when things get REALLY interesting...
mczvzog
Thanks for your comment Erin. I know only a few pastors who work in the "midwife style" and their humility is amazing! Lee
Thanks for your encouragement Jon. You are right - it is not easy to ask these questions. My husband and I have experienced some hurtful treatment from certain Christians since beginning this journey. But our lives and our walks with God have never been as fulfilling as they are now. My feet are set on the right path for me and I believe that I am right where God wants me. Lee
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