Kingdom Leadership Functions

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The modern concept of leadership has taken on a CEO image in our culture, but that is not what we find in scripture. The modern day “business” of leading a church has included the corporation itself, the building, grounds maintenance, financial management, and all the other aspects of a business. This is not anything that was part of the calling of the 12 when Jesus established His church. This is a modern day burden that terribly distracts from the core of the kingdom. Others can share these loads, allowing those with God callings for leadership to make the most of what they were designed by God to do.

One thing that we need to do is adjust our definition of “church”. The Greek for this word was Ekklesia, which was a carefully chosen by Jesus to illustrate his point. Ekklesia was the governing body of people in a city or region. (see this post for more) The leaders in a city or region were not inside four walls of a building. They would have house groups (modern day “small groups”) and perhaps larger gatherings (similar to a modern congregation), but the leadership was across a region (ie the people in Ephesus – an entire city). These leaders where shared across larger groups of people.

Take this as a challenge to reconsider your role, and why God placed you on this earth, and at this time (it was not a mistake). Jesus established leadership for his church, and we all have different roles to play. Some of these things have taken on titles, and have in many cases picked up negative connotations or high expectations. This modernized context has robbed us of some key understanding that we need to embrace, particularly in leadership. Most people carry some measure of all these abilities, but some are called to a more focused role.

Take for instance “pastor”. This description (now a job title) has universally become understood as the person that is hired to “run the show”. The expectations for them are many, such as:

• preaching
• teaching
• evangelism
• priest
• mentor
• counselor
• building manager
• finance leader
• music director
• intercessor (praying for everyone and everything)
• marriage, funeral, hospital, prison (and a host of other) minister
• janitor (chief toilet scrubber)
• the list goes on…

These many expectations are generally unrealistic for one person to do all these functions well, and are tremendously unfair. If your pastor is struggling or burning out, they need real help (hands and feet). In scripture, we see these as gifts or abilities that any believer may carry, and the load is shared. Some may have several gifts, some may not be on this list, but that does not diminish the importance of every believer’s contribution. Remember, we are ALL human, and need each other to carry on the kingdom tasks we have.

For starters, let’s peel off the modern expectations of leadership and look at what the Bible says these are, and what they look like both then and today.

Pastor – this is the shepherd. The one who has a big heart for the care of the flock, reaching out to them and caring for their soul and body. “How are you doing? Can I pray for you?” This is one with a heart to love you into what God wants you to be, with God’s tender mercy.

Teacher – explaining the word of God so we can better understand and apply it. Often this is one that studies hard, is passionate about God’s word, and conveys the understanding they have to the body. “This is what God’s word says. This is how it is done.” This can be rather black and white to the teacher, but their understanding of the scriptures and concepts brings out the hidden morsels that God has hidden in His word.

Evangelist – reaching the lost, advancing the kingdom with the good news. This equipping has the heart of God for those without HIM, and has the special ability to capture the ear of those that need Jesus. These are people of ACTION, and don’t sit still very well. The voice of one crying out in the desert, REPENT! It is not likely that one “house” or church will satisfy the desire of one filled with this anointing, because the sheer volume of conversions that will need discipleship would overwhelm the church’s capacity to bring them up.

Now for the parts that have taken the most hits, and we will look at what is going on under the surface. These two have fallen out of favor since the orthodoxy of the church, around 300 AD. The church has need and functions for those that hear from God, and those that have God given authority AND special abilities to lead. Set aside the bad reputations and work with me for a little bit….

Prophet – The biblical purpose for prophets is to encourage and lift up the body, calling them to a higher personal place with God. This is one that hears (or understands) what God is saying, and says what HE is saying. God speaks in many ways (through His word, etc), and some people are more inclined to hear. Sometimes it is a matter of paying attention, but there is a God given ability that gives this person a job to do in a house of believers. Often these people will have a “hunch”, and just go with it. Who will challenge someone to do better? Who will give scripture to encourage someone to go another day? Dreams, bible study, meditation in prayer, and noticing things that stand out in ordinary circumstances mark these people. Then, the Holy Spirit gets a hold of them, and they can’t contain what they have been shown. They HAVE TO SPEAK IT. Some of you will recognize that you see a problem and can’t ignore it. You so clearly see right from wrong, it drives you crazy that others don’t see it. You just HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING! The challenge is to do this with grace and maturity.

Apostle – filled with concern for the church (or churches), wanting to lift them up so they can be better accomplish kingdom purposes. These are leaders with a big servant heart, and have abilities to teach, pastor, reach the lost, and understand what God wants to do. Just like we see all over new testament scripture. These are encouragers of leaders, congregations and church planters. In looking at church history, we see them ministering to the larger church without walls, and bringing reformation. The title has fallen out of favor, but the function is tremendously important and relevant TODAY.

There are many other facets and places to serve in the church, but do your leadership a favor and spread the load. Some churches are large enough to have several staff handling these functions, but we need to revisit and take inventory of our kingdom gift sets. We are each enabled to do particular things, and when we are doing too much, or not doing the right thing (what God made us to do), we will be less effective than we could be.

Set aside the modern presumptions and long expectation lists. Take people and personalities off the pedestals we have accepted, and look at what God intended for us to do. He built in each of us a package of abilities, so we need to discover them and seek alignment with what HE has for us. Whether you are in leadership or not, you could never be happier and more fulfilled than when you are in alignment with your creator, and what HE designed you to do. Pursue your calling, whatever it is, and help others be who God created them to be!

For more tools on gift discovery, see articles on spiritual gift assessment, coming soon!