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Do We Still Need Christian Leaders? (Part 2)

by Dr Gerrit van Vuuren  
5/30/2010 / Leadership

In the first part of this article we saw that God triune is The Leader, whether as Father, Son, of Holy Spirit. We will also see that God appoints leaders. Hence, the argument that many Christians hold against leadership is mostly born out of [a] ignorance, and [b] unnecessary exposure to 'unshepherdly' leaders.

In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes. (Judges 17:6 WEB)

The problem in Israel was not that there were no suitable persons to appoint as leaders, but that the nation had turned against God, who retained the prerogative to appoint the nation's leaders. Hence they turned not only against the leaders that God appointed, but primarily against God. They did not want leaders appointed by God.

Now why would God's nation not want God-appointed leaders? The answer of cause is SIN. Sin has a horrible effect on them sinner. It triggers his conscience. And, if there is one thing that a sinner does not want to hear, it is that small internal voice that says "this is not what God wants!"

So what did Israel do? They appointed their only leaders. They chose leaders that were NOT going to say "this is not what God wants". Then eventually, they ignored those leaders as well, until there were no more leaders.

And the Bible is explicit about the reaction: Everyone did as he thought well. Every person did as he wanted. Does that sound like a statement of faith and sanctification? This is definitely not the case. It is the resolve of a rebellious nation.

There is another perspective on this issue that has to be discussed as well. I am referring to the case where the holy ones will not listen to anybody else. The case where the members of the group decide that they will only listen to God.
"We do not want a leader, because we all want to be led by God"

A couple of years ago, I came across an independent Christian group that came together for two or three services per week. My first request [out of courtesy] was to meet their leader. I was amazed to hear that they did not have a leader. Upon my questioning this, they explained it was because they all wanted to be lead by God. Now this does sound very holy!

However, experience has taught me that this is one of those instances where theory and practical implications do not necessarily agree. I have seem numerously how these groups functioned quite well, UNTILL THEY EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS. This is when it all went wrong. Who do they turn to now? Who is responsible, and who is going to facilitate conciliation?

Tragically, many of these groups dissolved, but even worse, some of the members bore a grudge towards God.


Where there is no leadership, there is chaos at best and anarchy at worst.

For a while [especially during the groups honeymoon phase], everything appears to go well, and serving God [thankfully] is a pleasure. Unfortunately [and this is a Biblical principle], the enemy of the saints IS going to attack the group and its members, and them problem arises when the attack comes. Who do we turn to for advice and guidance? In the beginning they usually start praying feverishly, which is wonderful and correct, but gradually, as the problem escalates, personal opinions and agendas begin to prevail. Eventually some of these situations turned ugly, and there were even treats of legal steps.

The point is, where there is no leadership, people will eventually be inclined to begin to do as they want.

If you were wondering if having spiritual leaders is still necessary, the answer from a Biblical perspective is a definite YES. However, there is prerequisite that cannot be ignored:

If you want success in your Christian business, ministry, congregation, church or household, YOU ARE GOING TO NEED A LEADER ACCORDING TO JESUS' SPECIFICATIONS AND EXAMPLE. You are going to need a True Shepherd Leader.

The intention of this series of articles by Dr Gerrit van Vuuren is intended to stimulate, educate and persuade Christians to return to what he call True Shepherd Leadership.

Please make sure that you read the next article on the leadership style of Jesus Christ, namely True Shepherd Leadership.

The title of the next article by Dr Gerrit is 'Are you a shepherd or a hireling?'

Dr Gerrit van Vuuren [Ph.D.] is Principal of the Shepherd Leadership Institute. [http://www.shepherdleader.co.za] At the age of 30 he accepted Jesus as Saviour, resulting in a radical conversion, a radical calling, and a radical ministry. Dr Gerrit wrote a research doctoral thesis on the 'leadership style of Jesus Christ', and has a calling to teach the body of Christ to understand and apply Jesus' leadership style, which he calls True Shepherd Leadership . For more information, e-mail him at [email protected]

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