Biblical Eldership Church Leadership

Shared Leadership

talented leaders have destroyed themselves because they had no peers to confront and balance them and, in fact, wanted none. For the single leader atop a pyramidal structure of organization the important balancing of one another’s weaknesses and strengths nor mally does not occur. Note the strong language Robert Greenleaf, author of the book Servant Leadership, uses to convey his observa tions: To be a lone chief atop a pyramid is abnormal and corrupting. None of us are perfect by ourselves, and all of us need the help and correcting influence of close colleagues. When someone is moved atop a pyramid, that person no longer has colleagues, only subordinates. Even the frankest and bravest of subordinates do not talk with their boss in the same way that they talk with colleagues who are equals, and normal communication patterns become warped.4 In a team leadership structure, however, different members comple ment one another and balance one another’s weaknesses. If one elder has a tendency to act too harshly with people, the others can temper his harshness. If some members fear confrontation with people, others can press for action. Elders who are more doctrinally oriented can sharpen those who are more outreach- or service-oriented, and the outreach- or service-minded elders can ignite the intellectually ori ented members to more evangelism and service. Erroll Hulse, editor of the magazine Reformation Today, expresses the matter this way: “Within an eldership extreme ideas are tempered, harsh judgments moderated and doctrinal imbalances corrected. If one elder shows prejudice toward, or personal dislike for any person, in or outside the church, the others can correct that and insist on fair play and justice. If one elder is in a fierce mood over some offender, that offender has others to whom he can appeal.”5 I believe that traditional, single-church pastors would improve their character and ministry if they had genuine peers to whom they were regularly accountable and with whom they worked jointly. Most pas tors are not multitalented leaders, nor are they well suited to singu larly lead a congregation effectively. They have personality flaws and talent deficiencies that cause them and the congregation considerable vexation. When placed in a council of qualified pastors, however, a

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