By Who's Authority?

Dear Family,

When i worked at McPherson College there would be times when i would have to buy supplies for my job. I would have to buy a new battery for the truck or new blades for the lawnmowers or flowers for the gardens, and often times i would make sure i had permission before i purchased anything, because money always stirs issues. But one time in particular, i acted without asking, because i felt the situation was dire enough, i didnt want to wait for permission. And boy did i hear about it.

The first question out of my bosses mouth, "Who authorized you to spend that money?" I said, "No one, but the tractor wasn't working, and we needed it running, because it's supposed to snow in a couple of days." "I dont care," he replied! "You do not have the authority to spend money without my approval!" "Im sorry," i said, and i left.

I realize that many of you face similiar situations, and that this is nothing new to you, in fact we have similiar boundaries in the church, dont we? But all these boundaries got me to thinking, why are they there?

Why do people need authority? Or more troubling, at least for me, by whose authority to most people act? Speak? Represent? The more i think about authority, the more it angers me. Why? Because, at least in the church, too many people claim to have a right to it, and they simply should not. Contrary to popular belief, the church is NOT a democracy. Never has been. And it should never be.

I can hear the mumblings and protests now. Wait for it, please. Though the church needs to listen to all voices, the church is not a democracy. Not everyone who speaks at church has the right to do so. What do i mean? Well, folks, the church is not like the American Government. It is not for the people, by the people, of the people. Nope. The church is a theocracy. For God. To God. By God.

What that means is that God alone has the authority. But God uses people, right? Yes. Yes He does. But we have to be careful who we listen to. Not everyone who speaks represents the Divine Wisdom, and if one who speaks serves to only further their own agenda, well we should, at least if we want to honor God, simply silence them. Yes. You read that right. If someone in the church is speaking only to hear themselves or further their agenda, we need to silence them.

We should give the podium to those who spend hours praying, studying, listening, and doing their best to honor God. Those are the leaders God calls. Sisters and brothers humble enough to name that they do their best to listen to God, they ask great questions of mission and vision, and everything they say, EVERYTHING, can and will be supported by Scripture. If not, well as our tradition holds, then we simply say thank you and move on.

I know this is hard to hear/read, but we have to return to being a theocracy if we are to remain viable, healthy, and fruitful. None other than letting the voice of God speak through and guide us can carry us through this season of struggle. His authority alone matters. Amen..

Shalom,
jerry