Page 10 - May 2023 - Truth & Tidings

that recognition and respect be given to ing to the church in multitudinous ways
the plurality of brothers who lead them and a further example of God’s loving
(1Th 5:12-13). Peter exhorts the elders wisdom to us. Stemming from a plurality
3
(plural) who were among his readers (1Pe of leadership, the church receives a better
5:1). Obviously, a young church may not variety of teaching, which is necessary in
immediately have elders, and one indi- view of the diverse needs of the body. The
vidual (e.g., a missionary who plants a work of leading the flock is simply too
church) may occupy that role on his own big for one person anyhow. Sharing that
at times. But God’s intention, according burden better serves the flock – different
to Scripture, is for multiple brothers to leaders’ personalities and experience mesh
ultimately take on that work as a shared better with those of different believers –
responsibility. and helps mitigate burnout among the
In any given Christian assembly, one leadership (cf. Gal 6:2).
overseer may possess more godly wisdom Another preserving blessing in plural-
than his brothers. He may have more ex- ity, to both the church and the leadership
perience and greater biblical understand- itself, is that the elders are accountable to
ing. Not only should this be respected, but one another. They shepherd, challenge
others would be foolish to ignore it. But and balance one another, preserving the
no brother is at liberty to habitually throw church from adopting an unnecessar-
his weight around in the decision-making ily extreme position. And where there is
process. God’s model for a New Testament freedom for frank discussion within the
church doesn’t include the position of a group, without grudges and judgmental
Senior Pastor who automatically has more attitudes, the church is bound to reap the
authority because of his title. But please benefits of a more informed decision-mak-
note: some brothers who reject that title ing ability (Pro 11:14). When a problem
are nonetheless guilty of the same egre- with a difficult believer arises, confronting
gious error. Not by title but perhaps by it as a group can help to diffuse a “me vs.
force of personality, they think they can him” situation; there may be more liberty
always get their way on important deci- to reason with the believer from varying
sions, and that their way is always better. angles. When one man – even a good
“Such wisdom does not come down from man – is allowed to run the church his
above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic” way, there is a greater risk of the church
(Jas 3:15). becoming a cult of personality drawn to
that leader instead of to Christ (cf. 1Co
The Practical Wisdom of 3:4,21-23).
Plurality To brothers who are good leaders –
The wisdom that is from above is meek, maybe better leaders than those with you
has ears to hear the perspective of oth- – continue being a good leader by ensuring
ers, and recognizes that, even if you are you share the work with others.
always right (which you’re not), running ³ Some of the points that follow are helpfully
roughshod over your brothers will be to articulated by Dave Harvey in The Plurality
the long-term detriment of the church (cf. Principle (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2021).
Although it still reflects, in my opinion,
Gal 5:15). Leadership that is truly shared, common traps of evangelical ecclesiology, the
in practice and not only in name, is a bless- book is helpful on its main theme.

138 TRUTH kTidings May 2023