I am unable to quote it exactly, as he has since removed it, but the quote was typical of the tone of the book. Authority is viewed as a Bad Thing, and a cudgel the strong use to bully the weak.
I didn't ask whether "Mark" (himself a parent) feels that the exercise of parental authority constitutes bullying, but I doubt that would have really helped us engage the topic.
It was pretty clear he wasn't planning on listening to what I would say. I say this because he called me a liar claiming I hadn't even read the book when I explained my concerns about it. (I have read it.)
While considering how I would have answered him, in an actual conversation, it seemed this would be a good topic to explore a little.
Let me preface this by saying this is not to pick a fight with "Mark" specifically. My intention is to use his view (which, in light of the book's popularity is pretty widespread) to address those who share that view, generally, or know others who do.
There are so many angles to approach this question from, it's difficult to chose only one. Let's start by focusing on the Biblical role of leaders.
There are background factors that shed more light on "Mark's" use of that quote. He has a strong [think: All-caps, bold type, double-underlined "strong"] opinion that traditional Churches with paid pastoral staff, and that meet formally to worship as a group are somewhere between "inferior" and "heretical". (I say somewhere between, only because I'm not clear how far he's willing to take his opinion.)
"Mark" quotes the Bible often, nearly as often as he quotes his favorite scholars to prop up his position. To be fair, some of his objections are perfectly true. (I could give textual support for each, but as we are in agreement, it seems unnecessary.)
For example:
1) Any believer, however new in the faith, ought to have his concerns truly heard when he speaks about the Bible, or offers correction (personal and/or theological) to a brother in Christ.
2) Every believer is a minister. (This was foundational in Luther's Refomation, and continues to be a key distinction between Evangelicals and Roman Catholics).
3) There should be an attitude of mutual submission within the Body of Christ, with nobody Lording themselves over one another.
4) It was never the Biblical mandate for people to lock themselves into a building for an hour or two a week, and spend the next six days and twenty-some-odd hours completely disconnected from that time spent together.
BUT -
That does NOT mean that the Body of Christ is to be without leadership and direction, or that there are not people who have a special role, purpose, and function within that body.
Examples.
In Acts 6, there was rapid growth in the Church.
Part of that growth included widows who required their daily needs to be met. The Apostles recognized that their day was being spent in meeting the natural needs of the widows, and that was limiting their ability to do what they were supposed to do. What was that? Prayer, and the ministry of the Word.
The Apostles passed off the responsibility of "waiting on tables" (deacon translates roughly into "waiter") onto others, so they could dedicate themselves to "prayer and the ministry of the Word"
Why is this important? Because the deacons also did things like Preach (Stephen gave a tremendous sermon just before becoming the Church's first Martyr), Pray for the sick, and other things that 'every minister' can do. They were ALSO ministers of the gospel. So a close look at the text shows us that the time of prayer and ministry of the Word in the life of the Apostles was to be even more jealously guarded by the Apostles, than by the Deacons.
Notice that even becoming "just" Deacons, involved being set apart as leaders. (Laying on of hands) and it was not "everyone" that ordained them as leaders, but the Apostles who laid hands on them.
Ask yourself, does a stricter set of requirements and qualifications not Automatically create a distinction between two groups of people?
To be Redeemed, you must simply repent of dead works, and trust in the completed atoning work of Jesus Christ.
But that is not sufficient to be a LEADER in Christ's body, is it?
What does God say?
In Titus chapter One:
5The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. 8Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined. 9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.It was a high priority of Paul's that particular people with pretty rigourous qualifications were set in place to "oversee" the Church. The terms "Elder" and "Overseer" (bishop in some translations) refer to the same people. Men of proven integrity and character who are able to rightly divide the word, and stand as a defense against those who would introduce heresies into the congregation.
A new convert does not have to uphold the same standards, (although there should be that desire) as someone who has been more firmly established in his faith.
The Body of Christ is more than an amorphous blob of individuals forming a Collectivist gathering where the parts are more or less interchangeable.
There is a wide gulf between the Biblical description of Community and the Communes of the Sixties. God has ordained the former, but denies the latter.
What we are instead offered is the Biblical Picture of the Body (Romans 12) where there are both prominent parts and modest ones, each having their unique value and contribution to the whole. They cannot be swapped out like cogs in a machine, because no two are quite alike.
And some have been equipped to minister to and strengthen Christ's Church, to help her endure various trials and temptations, and prepare her to fulfill the work of the Ministry.
Like all other things, it is centered on Christ. He is the Chief Shepherd, but he has appointed some as Under-shepherds of His Flock. (1 Peter 5:2) All Authority has it's center and Locus in Christ (Matthew 28) but He has appointed some to be Apostles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, Teachers. (Eph 4) for the equipping of the Saints for the work of the Ministry.
If that is not enough, let the direct command of His Word settle the matter, with a word that is not very popular in our individualistic culture:
Heb 13:17 "17Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you."God does not shy away from such use of godly Authority, but then again, that word will only be received if we truly believe God has the right to make such demands of us, won't it?
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