Excellent post. Leadership is influence. If we look to the example of Jesus Christ, he had all authority, but frequently ministered out of relationship and love for the people. Obviously there were exceptions, but those were mostly when confronting hypocrisy among the religious elites and I would argue that even His rebukes there were a display of love.

I'm studying to be a early-ed teacher, and I found this article really helpful in determining how to run my classroom. I want to learn to influence kids, rather than have authority.

This principle applies in pretty much any leadership context. I am a military officer, currently deployed in Afghanistan. Despite the more authoritarian and heirarchical structure in the military, leadership by influence is much more effective than leadership by authority. If my leadership is primarily by authority, things get done only because I might be watching or will check up on them later. If my leadership is primarily by influence, things will get done because the Marines want to do it and/or see the need for it to be done. They are more likely do what needs to be done whether I am watching or not. So, even in a context in which authority reigns supreme (at least seems to), influence is a much more effective leadership tool.

Thanks for the post, Bob. One of my concerns is that a congregation be moved by God's revelation rather than the pastor per se. It would seem that a congregation would ideally follow a pastor, not because of the direct influence of the pastor, but because of thankfulness toward Christ for His saving work, because of the joy we have in Christ, and because of our esteem for God's revelation in the Scriptures. In such a model, it is esteem for Christ which moves people to follow the shepherd whom He has placed over them.

In the model you've presented, I wonder if there is a danger that the pastor becomes a leader who has influence because of his political maneuvering and people are moved by their esteem for the pastor rather than esteem for Christ.

"...minimizing pastoral authority is very much in vogue right now. Just watch the comments to this post" Don't want to disappoint you, Bob. My critique is not of the authority due to leadership in the church. Rather, where did we get the idea that the clergy are supposed to be the leaders? Even the title is misleading. "pastoral" refers to counseling, encouraging, correcting, etc. Leading a group is a different set of skills and gifts.

However, emphasizing influence rather than authority is a wonderful step in the right direction. You are right that its a better way to function, but it also opens up leadership to non-clergy.

“Here’s what I know from Scripture: Pastors/elders/overseers have authority in the local community.”
Heb. 13:17 – The word authority does not appear in the text. The word translated “obey” here is bogus. The word is not translated obey anywhere else. It is here only to appease those driven by tradition rather than truth because tradition “works” better for them, power for the clergy or passivity for the lay folk.
1Thes. 5:12-13 Again, translators choose the most power oriented, hierarchical term when possible, but none of this is justified by the word itself together with it’s context in the Bible.

“Jesus pointed us toward the correct use of authority, both in His strong-yet-compassionate example…Mark 10:42,43”

Here Jesus tells his disciples to reject authority oriented dynamic, not merely be “strong-yet-compassionate. What a bogus reading of Jesus words.

Any Berean who examines the scriptures to see if what Bob says is true, will find this all quite false. Acts 17:11 Paul praised the Bereans for what they did and rebuked the Thessalonians for being shallow and lazy in the scriptures.

“When I get to a place where I have to lean on authority, because my influence just won’t get the job done, I’ve probably already lost. I may be able to get what I’m after by saying “Because I’m the pastor!” or using phrases like “executive decision” and so win that particular battle.”

This one paragraph is priceless pointing to the hypocrisy of the institutionalized clergy system. They talk out of both sides of their mouth claiming they don’t like authority but they have to use it sometimes to win a battle. They actually love authority and protect it with as much manipulation as they can get away with – primarily misuse of God’s Word and dominating the personal expression of God’s Word when the saints gather.

Questioning pastoral authority is not in vogue in America. American believers cherish their passivity and will devote large percentages of their “giving” to buy it. Millions of believers around our country dumb themselves down and take their pew seat every week to get their predigested morsels of God’s Word spoon fed to them and call it teaching, even though they won’t remember it by Monday.

“Our influence comes from being able to stand before our communities and echo with a clear conscience the words of Paul: “Follow me as I follow Christ.”

In one sentence Bob proves, only the hired clergy, with authority, can stand before the gathering of saints and proclaim God’s Word and say follow me as I follow Christ. Again Bob is misquoting and misusing the text. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1 and Phil. 3:17 Bob is not the only preacher I’ve heard conveniently leave out the words “my example” He wants the saints to think they should merely follow what he says and not have any interest in having any level of intimacy with him such that they could follow his “way of life”. It is flat out impossible for 100 – 300 – 3000 people to have any kind of mutuality or intimacy with with one guy up front they call “their pastor” such that they could “follow his example” , his “way of life”. They will only ever know what he claims is true of himself.

I’m not biting this hook with a worm on it. I don't question your sincerity. God has a much more reproductive, mutual, loving design for His leaders, overseers, pastors.

Url, the site lost my post.again.

Tim,
The problem that Mr. Hyatt has, and for the matter a lot of people who draw a paycheck in the clergy is that they have, wittingly or not, a vested interest in keeping the status quo.

I seriously doubt Mr. Hyatt is like Messrs' Bell, Mclaren, et al who enjoy the celebrity of being a "somebody" of quotable notations in the public eye whether good, popular, or just annoying. But the problem is that Mr. Hyatt is in the same conundrum as them...he's paid to be a "Pastor", and he has to deliver today's menu of Pastoral pate', or else he doesn't get paid...and for some "pastors"...well, after a while the money speaks louder than the words.

And the authority issue...it can be a like a drug...however, since Paul is in play here in the discussion...lets look at him...Anyone think Paul would be popular in today's world with his "authority"?

Paul was irritating to the say the least of his character when it came to the word, and he wasn't one to be polite so not to ruffle feathers...the man called down all sorts of angst and anger on people who dared to go against him, and even when he did try to blow sunshine...it was more of a typhoon.

Lets be honest here...being like Paul in today's world would cost you your Ministry job. You'd be effective, you would have authority, but you certainly wouldn't be drawing that sweet, sweet five-to-six digit salary either.

The question a lot of these pastors need to ask themselves is this...are you willing to go there?

Biblical authority has one purpose: to bless those in Christ who have taken shelter under its covering. If "blessing" and "covering" are not the first words that come to our minds when discussing authority, it is because we swim in a sea of rebellion and questioning authority. The Scriptures are not ignorant of the abuses of authority - a cursory reading of Romans 13 and I Peter 2 make that clear. It is just that the abuse of authority is another tool in the hand of the enemy to offend us and poison our hearts against authority. Loving authority is the channel that God uses to convey his blessings. If churches are spineless and purposeless, it is because we have so defanged the leaders ostensibly to protect ourselves against them. Only when we give them permission in humility and submission, can pastors begin to staunch our spiritual wounds. Trouble is, many wouldn't know how, the impartation of the ways of healing having long been purged from our seminaries and institutions.

"Biblical authority has one purpose: to bless those in Christ who have taken shelter under its covering. If "blessing" and "covering" are not the first words that come to our minds when discussing authority, it is because we swim in a sea of rebellion and questioning authority."

Interesting if true, but the nebulousness and ambiguity begs the question of specifics...whom is sheltering who, whose blessings are we talking about and to whom are they aimed at, what is this covering you speak of, and what type of authority are you referring too?

Familiarize yourself with Romans 13 and I Peter 2. Then, go to an authority figure that you are in relationship with or desire to be in relationship with; it really doesn't matter whether the position is secular or spiritual. Ask them, "How may I serve you, lighten your load and assist you with your responsibilities?" Do what they say for a couple of years. Journal then on what it is like to dwell under their covering, what blessings in Christ Jesus have accrued to you during that time. The theory will then become quite apparent, and you will have proved the truth of Romans 13 and I Peter 2.

Two statements of yours concern me...

"The theory will then become quite apparent, and you will have proved the truth of Romans 13 and I Peter 2."

And from the previous post...

"Biblical authority has one purpose: to bless those in Christ who have taken shelter under its covering. If "blessing" and "covering" are not the first words that come to our minds when discussing authority, it is because we swim in a sea of rebellion and questioning authority."

A thought of mine before my response...this medium of communication is limited, and inflection of voice, intent, and nuances therein cannot be transmitted so I am willing to grant that you may want to clarify your thoughts some more before I solidify my opinions of your statements...

because, all that being said...

Your two posts leave me with the impression that you are not...well, familiar with authority, and because of your use of Romans and Peter's letters indicate to me that you have not made the distinction between our response to one another as followers of the living G-d, and how we should interact with the world...and...well, how you have completely ignored Corinthians, Galatians, Timothy Ephesians, Matthew, and John...I would throw Revelations in there, but I don't want us to get side-tracked and distracted by tangents.

So, I am allowing for the moment that I am misreading your thinking due to restraints of time and writing space on your part, and that perhaps because of the brevity of the response...all these factors can lead to confusion on my part for want of more clarification from you.

So please, do clarify your thoughts for me.

Brother Stephen
Romans 13 and 1 Peter 2 deal specifically with government. Does your paster bear a sword to keep you in line? These scriptures have nothing to do with church organization, only believers relationship to God's instituting of local government. The "covering" theology, like any corporate church institutionalist is desperate to spin some kind of "authority by men" into church life and believers relationships in community. Jesus is the head. All authority is given to Him. He has not passed any authority to men. I'm sure this is hard for you in what you have been taught by your "covering" but you need to examine it with the scriptures to see if it's true - Acts 17:11. I realize part of the twisting is bad translations like the use of the word "rule". These and the other traditional text spinning for authority nullify many clear scriptures that specifically call for no authority, power positions, titles, or lording in the household of faith.

Jesus as our head, our authority, is more than sufficient for His body. Anything else is the traditions of men substituted in, like the Catholics do.

Sheer
The vested interest, the addiction, is true in varying degrees with different pastors, but there are many other "powers" that are involved that are trumping truth in their lives. It is a very hard trap to break. It took me 20 years.

Thanks for this post. Great use of verses to describe authority that Pastors have and deserve. I also enjoyed the true comment about how authority is quickly gained but influence takes time. So true.

As a 21 year old bible college student, I am very encouraged and challenged by this post. I am studying youth ministry and I have been learning quite a bit about leadership lately. A key thing you pointed out was that authority is more about what "I want" the people to do, and influence is more of getting people to do what "THEY want or need to do". It is here, I believe, that many leaders tend to wield their position and authority to cover up personal sins and shortcomings. It is a danger and temptation that all leaders will face, to use the "because i'm in charge" card to cover up things. You highlighted Jesus' example very well, however, and went to scripture for the structure of a leader's balance of influence and authority. One thing that really tends to scare me is the whole "Follow me as I follow Christ!" attitude. I hope and pray that I will be able to submit to Christ in a way that brings me to a point where I can confidently say that, but it is a very daunting idea. The other thing you mentioned that really stuck out to me was the fact that authority is quickly gained. On the flipside, authority can also be quickly lost. This is something that challenges me to look beyond simply being in an authority position, but look to become an influential leader. One of my favorite quotes has been... "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up people to collect wood and don't assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea."
- Antoine de Saint Exupéry
I believe this quote really speaks to the concept of influence against authority.