Ungodly Leadership

Acts 15:24 (NASB)
 "Since we have heard that some of our number to whom we gave no instruction have disturbed you with their words, unsettling your souls, 


In just about every church I have ever served there has been at least one that was in the body or started to come into the body who was exhibiting ungodly leadership.  They push in and usurp authority, claiming to be a teacher, preacher and leader that should be listened too.  They were argumentative and troubling and unsettled the congregation.

What are we to do with someone like this?  I think we can learn a few steps we should take from the early church leaders in Acts. 

• They confronted the problem.  To often we are afraid to confront the problem.  It might upset someone.  It might create a problem.  The truth is an ungodly, self promoted leader will eventually destroy the work of God.  The fall out will be greater later than now.
• They made it clear they were not speaking for the them.  Make it very understood that they are not speaking for you.  There are always some who will follow a strong voice, even if it has error.  Others will assume that if you don't speak up you are in agreement.  Neither of those is good for the body.
• They encouraged the troubled and unsettled.  Those who are troubled and unsettled will be looking to you as the pastor/leader for guidance.  Be an encourager to those who need a sound voice of truth.
• They gave godly instruction.  Give clear, Biblical direction and advice.

Dealing with a person who usurps authority can be difficult, especially if you don't like conflict.  But it will be better for the Kingdom and the church to deal with it head on with compassion, love and firm resolve.

A shared Responsibility

Ephesians 4:12 (HCSB)
for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, 

So who is responsible for growing the church you are a part of?  That question could be answered in a number of ways.

First, we must be reminded that God is responsible for the growth of the church.  We are dependent on Him through the Spirit to impart His conviction and grace in the lives of people.

Second, Pastors are responsible for the growth of the church.  If we don't lead, teach, equip and disciple, we will not see growth.

But, third, it is the people in the pews responsibility for the church's growth.  If the people do not obey and do what God says we will not see growth.

So what do we need to remember.  It is God ultimately who will grow His church.  But His plan for that growth will be when the pastors equip the saints (people) to do the work of ministry.  We can find ourselves making three dreadful mistakes.  One is to say it is God's church and He will grow it I just have to maintain.  It is as equally dangerous to say, "I am the Pastor.  I will make it happen!"  It is also misguided to say, "the people have to do it."  Reality is that we share the responsibility.  God will empower His church to reach people and grow as disciples.  But He will use the Pastor and the people to accomplish the task.

Pastor you can not grow the church on your own.  To think that you can is arrogant and misguided. We cannot blame the people if the church does not grow because we have to equip them to do the work of ministry.  But for both the pastor and the people we must obey God and join Him in the work He has planned for us to do.

Know Why You Serve

Sometimes in ministry we can forget why we serve.  We may even forget who we are or where we came from.  We have the tendency to think that the church is our church, this ministry is our ministry.  Or even this church won't survive without me.  But remember what we learn in Ephesians 4.

And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, 

Ephesians 4:11 (NASB) 

God is the one who called you and He is the one who enables you to serve.  He gets to choose where and how your ministry will be.  Humility is a needed quality in ministry.

We serve at His pleasure, with His grace enabling us to know or do anything worthwhile.  You have been given to His church to complete His task.  Brothers we must remember why we serve?

What have we done to fellowship?

What have we done to fellowship?  I think that is a fair question.  In most churches when we say we are going to have some fellowship it means, cake, cookies or some kind of meal.  While those goodies may be administered during fellowship it is not fellowship!

So what is fellowship?  It is relationships that we develop within the body for spiritual accountability, caring and support.  The church is the place that we build and maintain significant relationships.  How should we do that?  How did the early church do that?  We find out in Acts 2:41-46.

⁴²  And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers. 
⁴³  Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.
⁴⁴  Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.
⁴⁵  They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.
⁴⁶  Every day they devoted themselves ⌊to meeting⌋ together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,  

Acts 2:42-46 (HCSB)

So what does that look like in our churches?  What do we need to encourage and foster?

1. Committed to Unity. (Vs 44)  All believers together.  This means proximity to one another but it also means unity.  But it must be unity to the right thing, purpose of the church and Christ.  Salvation, The Body and Discipleship.
2. Committed to meeting one another's needs. (Vs. 44-45)  They were committed to one another with love that was unconditional, and sacrificial.  
3. Committed to interaction. (Vs. 46)  They met in the Temple complex and in their homes.  There was social interaction, but so much more.  There was spiritual and emotional interaction.  They spent time together.

How much stronger and effective would our churches be if we could really get fellowship!