Grappling with Authority
Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) 17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
A radical change in society’s attitude toward authority began with my generation. Perhaps the change started when young people realized that governments had brought us to the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban missile crisis. An increasingly unpopular war in Vietnam alienated both those who opposed it and those who fought in it, as their lives seemed to be spent needlessly and thoughtlessly. Three assassinations of popular figures added to the distrust and feeling that society as a whole was bankrupt and destitute. Then Watergate communicated that corruption and sinister motives existed at the highest levels of government.
For a time I was one who rejected society and authority. I dropped out of society and attempted, along with many others, to create an alternative society. I indeed did distrust anyone over thirty. However, I soon realized that my generation would make as much, if not more, of a mess as the previous generation.
Our society left that era with a generalized distrust of authority and specifically, institutional authority. We tend to question every level of authority including parental, teacher, local, state, and national authority. Many, of course, question church and even Biblical authority. The divorce rate might indicate that children have some substantive reasons for questioning their parent’s authority. Continuing scandals in government and the recurring headlines that indicate that government favor is up for grabs to the highest bidder undermine trust in governmental authority. Unfortunately, continuing church scandals lead many to conclude that the church is no better than society.
I came to Christ just before my twenty-second birthday in 1972. Trusting Christ for my salvation, I subsequently, a few months later, placed myself under His Lordship and authority As I studied the Bible I began to realize that I would have to rethink my attitudes toward a host of authority figures. My most dramatic change, also brought on by some maturing, was a change in attitude toward my parents. Although no longer under their direct authority, I could still honor them and look to them for advice. I needed to respect the authority of my pastor and church leadership. I even needed to submit to the authority of the government and obey the laws. If I wanted a change and I could work and vote for a change.
Particularly helpful for me during that time was Bill Gothard’s Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts. Gotthard mentioned an “umbrella of authority” in which God communicated to and protected those who submitted to the authority God had placed over them. Although I’ve since distanced myself from much of Gothard’s later teaching, I believe his teaching on authority is Biblical if not carried to an extreme, such as unquestioning obedience of a wife as opposed to Biblical submission. I came to believe that my attitude and submission to authority reflected and was part of my attitude toward the authority of Jesus Christ.
As I submitted to those in authority over me, God began to give me opportunities to exercise authority over others. I never had authority on the job—I was low man in seniority at the Highway Department and the only authority I exercised as a horseshoer was over the horse! At times, it was tough being under the authority of an individual who didn’t want to work very hard. Yet, in the late seventies I was elected to a position on the board of the Fernwood Community Bible Church. This was my first position of authority. I don’t remember much of my service on the Board—I certainly don’t remember dealing with any particularly difficult issues other than the decision to become self-supporting. I hope that the Village Missionaries who served in Fernwood, Ray Bell and Terry Majors, found me to be a supportive and helpful Board member!
God then called Carole and I to Moody Bible Institute where we had to come under the authority of the school. Although married seven years and living off campus, we still had to submit to Moody’s rules. We obeyed Moody’s dress code and its requirements regarding alcohol, movies, and cards. We were submitting to the authority of Moody.
When God called us into ministry with Village Missions, we agreed to come under the authority of Village Missions. I was in authority as a pastor and under authority as a Village Missionary. I was also under the authority of my board—a mutual kind of submission in which I provided leadership and they held me accountable for performing the duties of a pastor. I remember receiving a job description from them when I first arrived. Part of my duties included ringing the church bell and greeting folks after the service. I never found this dual authority onerous especially since Village Missions gave such freedom to me in carrying out my pastoral duties.
Now I have a different sort of authority as Director of Village Missions. I am still under authority—the authority of the Board. They are charged with holding me accountable and monitoring my performance as well as approving the proposals I submit to them. This is Biblically a very good thing and I consider it my responsibility to provide Board members with accurate information and to submit to their direction.
Since we have recently experienced some missionaries who have had problems with the authority of our Mission, this article is a gentle reminder that we need to be under authority. We can neither run rough shod over our church board nor can we remove ourselves from the authority of our District Representative. I assure you that we want you to succeed and be a Biblical blessing to the church. I also promise that we will work with you if you work with us. We are certainly open to constructive criticism, if it is given in a respectful manner. I am sure this is how you would want your congregation to approach you-mostly for their own spiritual benefit.
Personally, I hold my position with an open hand and have no desire to accumulate power or Lord it over others. I tend to react strongly when missionaries do not act Biblically and harm the body of Christ they serve. I also react strongly when the church does not act Biblically towards the missionary. We might require some correction of your behavior. It will be for the ultimate good of the body of Christ, as much as we can determine, if we do. Work with us as part of your responsibility to be under our authority.
Hebrews 13:17 (NASB) 17Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.
