Did you know there are no perfect churches? No matter how shinny, how quaint, or how perfect a church seems inside, there are discussions and emotions on how churches should be directed.
It is very human to get involved emotionally and at best, we are all just sinners saved by grace. Thus no perfect church exists. Knowing this we do not throw up our hands and give up seeking the best for a church; we strive to seek God's will and be holy.
The pursuit of holiness is our challenge and this becomes no small battle for we war with the world, the devil, and our own sinful natures. Thus good church leadership is a very intricate and delicate; a subject which we must approach as a doctor approaches a sick man.
Would it surprise you Paul was not liked by many in the churches He visited? From Jerusalem to Rome, Paul's authority was challenged and many sought to become leaders of the Christian church.
There were out spoken teachers who were openly challenging Paul in his absence. Others were very charismatic and measured their success by strategically trying to over throw the Roman occupation. There were even those who challenged Jesus Christ authority and declared themselves the Messiah.
Though we do not see this type of rhetoric in today's church, there is still many who seek to lead and resent the leadership of others. There are also large opposition groups which demonstrate openly to stop many ministries evangelistic outreaches.
In today's passage, Paul defends himself. Though it was in writing, it was strong, direct, and his words were written to stop the discontent with the hopes of unifying the church.
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. My defense to those who examine me is this: Do we have no right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, the brothers of the Lord, and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock? 1 Corinthians 9:1-7 (NKJV)
Paul was not just a man who decided he wanted to be a teacher and Paul was not a man who sought his own fame. Paul was sought out by Jesus Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit to preach and teach people how to survive until the coming of the Lord.
The largest portion of discontent amongst Christians who criticize leadership is they do not realize who they are criticizing. They may be pointing their accusations towards those leading; however, the leadership was called by the Lord, these are criticizing God. Paul was attempting to wake the critics up to who they were truly opposing.
How is the pastor of your church viewed by those in the congregation? Is he criticized by some?
Many churches have persons who are critical about the pastor. The truth is, pastors are fallible and have a sinful nature too. As all humans, there are times they say things that they should not say. Act certain ways which may be inappropriate.
Pastors get upset, they have emotional eruptions and these can be misconstrued especially when being compared to other leaders. But people must realize this is the person God chose to lead and any criticism of this person is criticism towards God.
Paul was accused of not working and feeding off church revenue. In our time, it is proper for several of the people who lead a church to be financially supported by their congregation. A church removes the added weight of responsibilities for these to minister and to spend quality time in the word, receiving from God direction to guide the church. Yet, this was not the way some thought an apostle should do.
When attending a church, it is very easy to pass by the work of the leaders. While everyone is away from the church, the leaders are planning, studying, praying, helping, and caring for the needs of others.
The average person sees their leadership very sporadically during the week. When persons in leadership are visible it is at church services, events, gatherings, and times of socializing. Some people confuse the times which the leadership interacts with the people and judge them solely on those moments.
Yet when leadership is on their knees or secluded in privacy with the Lord, those of the church do not see God revealing Himself to them. They do not hear the prayer and intersession for the church. They do not see the planning for the word of God to be ministered in the services. The congregation sees very little of what it takes to be a godly leader.
Then there are the times where leadership draws close to the grieving, the sick, the widowed, and the orphaned. The congregation cannot be in the room to see and hear the counseling which saves a marriage. The congregation is not privilege to many of the leaderships daily events. Therefore, who is a good judge of their work?
If you are wise, you would answer, "God is their judge" and our faith is in God's overseeing of the church.
Paul realized these accusations against him and directly involved himself in answering the church's fears. By shedding light on subjects as these, the church became healthier and grew in respect for its leaders.
Paul was criticized for soliciting the churches money. Yet we know by the book of acts, Paul worked making tents that he might not have to take money from the church.
Yet in answering these accusers in Corinth, Paul brings up the disciples and other apostles who were married and traveled with their children. These were supported by church funds, why should they criticize Paul?
Criticism of church leadership by church members brings a terrible division and heartache on the church leadership. It is this criticism we need to work to silence; and one way of silencing criticism is to confront it openly.
Yet as we confront it openly, the truth about God's ownership, leadership, and interaction with the church must be our defense. To the criticizer we say, "Where is your faith in God?" Then, "If you have faith in God, you will shut your mouth and pray for the leadership. Then all you have is God to blame." Criticism is a tool of the devil to break the bond of unity.
