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Go, Therefore, and Make … Leaders?

Writer's picture: JM ZabickJM Zabick
Apr 25, 20223 min read

Leadership priority is becoming a vocational idol in the contemporary American church.

Why has the evangelical church been so fixated on leadership? It has steadily ascended the hierarchy of ministerial priorities in the church over the past few decades. And over the last, in particular, it has become what I see as a vocational idol.


It’s nowhere a focus of the Great Commission or the Greatest Commandment.


In terms of the fivefold ministries, each of them touches upon leadership, but there is no hidden sixth-fold ministry that consolidates them all into the penultimate office of “LEADER.”


Most curious, the office of Apostle seems to be closest, but then … among dispensationalists … those are a thing of bygone times and necessity.


Yet, today budding ministers are likely to get more organizational and administrative training then they are historical, philosophical, biblical, or theological. Look at the trends in Bible college programs, conferences, and publications if you doubt me.


During my own seminary training, thus far, my experiences punctuate this fully. Across my three graduate programs at Liberty University’s Rawling School of Divinity, I had more required course work in secular leadership related topics than I did say … the doctrine of God.


Now mind you, none of these degrees was in pastoral studies, or ministry administration, or something of that nature, where you may expect as much (as questionable as I may find that).


No, my programs were in theological studies, religious education, and (again) post graduate theology. Something with that is clearly out of balance, though.


For a movement that has, in many respects, given itself to the principles of corporatism, all of this was such an inevitability, none of my words should be the least bit surprising—no matter how unsavory they seem.


That’s right! The same precepts and themes that I have been introduced to in my secular profession, and read from secular corporate/organizational leaders, which focus on organizational “teamwork,” customer service, and axioms like “everyone is a leader,” are the exact things being enthusiastically echoed in the church.


In fact, I have dual copies of a text written by a religiously non-affiliated businessman. One was given to me by the leader of an administration team I sit on, professionally … the other was supplied by my former pastor.


Listen. Of course, some of this is certainly a very good thing. I’ll concede that point.


Practical, organizational leadership, and administration is important. And I would never want to come off as the sort who takes the stance, there is nothing of value in voices outside of the church.


Does it point to a priority on developing ministers who are moral, spiritual, theologically informed, biblically expert, and intellectually rounded shepherds, counselors, and teachers … that can also lead?


Or does it signal a priority on grooming organizational talents who are strategists, promoters, and executives … that can also “preach” and/or perform?


I think the answer is obvious, given as much press the evangelical community itself is dedicating to the problem of its celebrity/consumerist culture.[1]


One pundit remarked that this “isn’t a problem [for the church] to fix, but an eye to gouge out.”[2]


As the church continues its downward spiral toward irrelevance in America, maybe we should step away and reassess if this “business model” is really working.


I suspect our "leaders" have enough training, by now, to do so.


 
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