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The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church - Contents
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    The Relationships of Leadership

    An elder in a local church has many important relationships. Of necessity he sustains a vital relationship to every member of the church, but he also has relations with his fellow officers. He sustains an important relationship also to the local conference, and is responsible to them for many activities of the church of which lie is elder. He sustains a relationship also to the church board, and even though he is the leading officer in the local church, he is bound by the decisions of that board. Hence the relationships are many. What obtains in the case of the local church elder obtains in principle with all leaders in the cause of God. Let us meditate briefly on some phases of this.BSPC 178.1

    1. His Relation to the Church Members

    This was forcefully expressed by the Savior in His counsel to His disciples when He said:BSPC 178.2

    “You know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister.” Mark 10:42, 43.BSPC 178.3

    Peter expressed the same thought in his epistle when he wrote:BSPC 178.4

    “Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.” 1 Peter 5:2, 3.BSPC 178.5

    This is an important principle and one which is hard for many individuals to learn. Paul expressed it in another way to the church at Corinth: “Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith you stand.” 2 Corinthians 1:24.BSPC 178.6

    Again we mention that true, godly leadership does not drive; it does not lord it over the heritage of God. One translation of the text just quoted is as follows:BSPC 178.7

    “I do not mean that we are to dominate over you with regard to your faith, but, on the contrary, we work with you for your true happiness; indeed it is through your faith that you are standing firm.” 2 Corinthians 1:24, Twentieth Century.BSPC 178.8

    2. The Relation of Church Members to the Leaders

    The Lord has given counsel as to the attitude of the leaders to the members, and He has also given counsel to the church members as to their attitude to the leaders. This can be seen in several scriptures. Let us observe the following:BSPC 178.9

    “Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.” “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:7, 17.BSPC 179.1

    “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labor among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 5:12, 13.BSPC 179.2

    On this aspect of our church responsibilities Mrs. E. G. White has given the following excellent counsel:BSPC 179.3

    “There have ever been in the church those who are constantly inclined toward individual independence. They seem unable to realize that independence of spirit is liable to lead the human agent to have too much confidence in himself, and to trust in his own judgment rather than to respect the counsel and highly esteem the judgment of his brethren, especially of those in the offices that God has appointed for the leadership of His people. God has invested His church with special authority and power, which no one can be justified in disregarding and despising; for he who does this despises the voice of God. Those who are inclined to regard their individual judgment as supreme, are in grave peril....BSPC 179.4

    “To neglect or despise those whom God has appointed to bear the responsibilities of leadership in connection with the advancement of the truth, is to reject the means that He has ordained for the help, encouragement, and strength of His people.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 163, 164.BSPC 179.5

    3. The Relationship to Each Other

    This means a great deal, and if proper relationships obtain, there will be harmony and love in the church of God. This will call for having confidence in one another and speaking well of one another at all times. It will mean also a sympathetic attitude, both to members of the church and to those in the community. We can learn much concerning these things from the experience of Jesus, our Lord and Master. He was in daily contact with the people, and sensed deeply their spiritual as well as their physical needs. Several times we read the expression, “He was moved with compassion.”BSPC 179.6

    An important test in one’s Christian experience is to know how to differ with the brethren and yet love them. F. M. Wilcox several years ago gave some good counsel on this question in the Review and Herald. The following extract is from his excellent article on this subject:BSPC 180.1

    “Is it possible to differ with our brethren and love them still? Is it possible to stand strongly and uncompromisingly for what we believe to be right, in opposition to brethren who stand just as strongly for opposing methods, and love them just as greatly as though they agreed with us? It is possible for even men of the world to do this, and surely this should be possible between brethren. How often we see this demonstrated in legislative bodies of the world. I have watched the Congress of the United States and the Parliament of Great Britain, and have seen them on opposing sides earnestly contend for what they believed to be right. They became even vehement in their discussions, but at the end of the debate I have seen these men leave the chamber, arm in arm, evincing their warm, personal friendship. On the other hand, I have seen professed Christians become so incensed and stirred in debate that they became personal enemies. What a contrast and what a shame to the Christian profession.BSPC 180.2

    “One test of Christianity, of the power of Christ’s grace in the heart, is to be able to differ with others earnestly but kindly, to contend for principles and not involve men in the contention. Let us always distinguish between men and principles, and even if we abhor the principles and feel that we must denounce them, let us love the men who hold the principles. In this way only can we win for Christ those with whom we associate.”—January 13, 1938.BSPC 180.3

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