Keeping the Faith; Never losing Hope; Always Loving

2 Corinthians 10 is a backdrop to this post.

This is a great chapter to address leadership in the church and the authority associated with that leadership.  It is essential to acknowledge that leadership in the church comes with authority.  However, this authority is not like authority that is present in the world.  This is a key point that many leaders and those being led in the church forget.  In our culture there is a mindset that says all authority will in some way take advantage of those under authority for the good of the one possessing the authority.  Its really a product of living in a world as if Jesus never got up from the dead.  It’s the idea that all authority is really about serving itself at the expense of those under the authority.  When this attitude is translated and practiced in the church it is a recipe for disaster.  Primarily because the Church lives in a post resurrection reality; the tomb is empty!  When you bring in pre resurrection practices into a post resurrection reality it can’t help but be a problem and obstacle.  This happens on both sides of the equation with those of authority and those whom the authority is directed too.  When pastors use their authority in a pre resurrection mindset; to get their’s at the expense of others; it causes deep dysfunction and distrust that cripples the movement of God in the congregation.  When the congregation views the authority of the pastor through the same lens the world looks at authority, the congregation assumes that when authority is exercised it is exercised at their expense for the good of the one making the decision which also produces a deep dysfunction and cripples the movement of God in the Church.  To summarize, when we bring a pre resurrection view of authority into a post resurrection environment it cripples the movement of God in the Church and this is exactly what evil desires.

In 2 Corinthians 10 Paul addresses this issue of authority.  Paul makes it very clear that the authority is Jesus Christ and that the authority he exercises comes from Jesus Christ.  Which first and foremost means that Paul exercises authority based upon the good of the people in Corinth not for the good of himself.  This is the key difference between authority in a post resurrection environment versus that in a pre resurrection lie.  Authority in a post resurrection environment is always exercised on behalf of empowering those under the authority to live out the vision of God upon that particular location and beyond.  For this to take place it is a two way street of faith and vulnerability that has to be practiced.  First and foremost the one exercising the authority must do so with a humility and connection with Jesus that the authority is coming directly from Jesus through the chosen leader.  The one exercising authority is really only communicating and discerning the will of God upon a situation.  Hence, the most important reality for any leader in a post resurrection environment is to be connected to the branch and to realize that this connection is essential for a faithful practice of leadership within a specific environment.  For those receiving the authority their must be a commitment to trust that the one (or ones) exercising the authority does so not at their expense, but for their benefit.  When this (the leader connecting with Jesus and seeking the best for the people and the people trusting that the leader has their best interest in mind first and foremost) is present in a post resurrection environment it creates space for Jesus to move among this group in ways beyond their wildest dreams. 

The reality is we have too many examples of churches looking like pre resurrection cultures instead of post resurrection realities.  We need more examples of churches coming together to commit to living in a post resurrection world and one key way this is done is through a church’s understanding and practice of authority that is taught here in 2 Corinthians 10.

I pray that I can embody the leadership Paul articulates in this passage.  I pray that I am able to lead with an authority that is always connected to Jesus and that my exercise of authority is always for the empowerment and equipment of God’s people to live out God’s vision for their lives.

chadpullins@connect2crossroads.com; www.wedesiremore.com