The Bible, the Spirit of Prophecy, and the Church

The Responsibilities of Leadership

A sacred and solemn responsibility rests upon every man who is called by the Lord to lead His people. Leadership is not a courtesy appointment; it is one that calls for much hard, painstaking work. It will put a tax upon one’s natural gifts and abilities; it will call for much more than an eight-hour day of service. Leadership, however, is a wonderful privilege, and happy will be the man who, having discharged his duties faithfully unto the Lord, hears at last from the lips of his blessed Master the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant; ... enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” Matthew 25:23. BSPC 175.6

The responsibilities of leaders in the cause are many, but a few of a general character might be listed: BSPC 175.7

1. Leaders Should Set Others to Work. BSPC 175.8

This aspect of the responsibility of leadership is indicated in the counsel Paul gave to the church of his day. We read: BSPC 175.9

“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11, 12. BSPC 176.1

Here the apostle shows the relationship of leadership to the perfecting of God’s people. After all, the purpose of preaching, the purpose of gospel ministry, is to save men; but the saving of men means not only deliverance from sin but the perfecting of their characters for a place in God’s kingdom. The apostle Paul knew this, and it was the great ideal before him in his service for God. Referring to this in one of his letters, he set before the believers this grand objective, “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Colossians 1:28.) This is to be accomplished by divine grace, and to a large degree by leading the believers into fruitful channels of missionary endeavor. The text as it reads in the Authorized Version conveys the idea that the special gifts mentioned in verse 11 are for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. BSPC 176.2

This is true, but there is an added thought in the original text to which we do well to take heed. The thought is not so much that the gifts are “for the work of the ministry,” but for leading the believers into the work of ministering. This idea has been brought out in some of the English translations, as will be seen in the following: BSPC 176.3

“With a view to the fitting of the saints for the work of ministry.” Rotherham. BSPC 176.4

“In order fully to equip His people for the work of serving.” Weymouth. BSPC 176.5

With this thought the counsel of the Spirit of prophecy is in full accord, as will he seen in the following: BSPC 176.6

“There should be a well-organized plan for the employment of workers to go into all our churches, large and small, to instruct the members how to labor for the upbuilding of the church and also for unbelievers. It is training, education, that is needed.”—Testimonies for the Church 9:117. BSPC 176.7

2. They Should Be Able to Lead. BSPC 176.8

This has already been referred to, but let us observe this characteristic a little further. The apostle Peter speaks of “taking the oversight” (1 Peter 5:2), and the apostle Paul refers to him “that rules” (Romans 12:8). The ruling mentioned here is different from what it is in the world. The ruling in the church of God is not lording it over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3); neither is it exercising lordship over them (Mark 10:42). The word “rule” in the Scriptures involves much more than directing; it means to act as guide (Hebrews 13:7, margin); it means also to “feed” (Psalm 28:9; see margin). One who guides must know the way. If he does, he will be able to guide others in the way of the Lord. The true leader in the church will know also how to feed the flock of God. Never will he get behind and try to push the believers forward! He will go before them, just as did the shepherd in the days of old. He himself will point out the way, and will go forward, leading the procession. He will also provide adequate spiritual nourishment for the members of the flock. What a solemn responsibility rests upon our ministers, our church elders, and others who minister in word and doctrine. BSPC 176.9

3. They Will Seek to Train Others. BSPC 177.1

This is one of the important aspects of the work of every leader in the church of God. In sharing his responsibility with others, especially with those of lesser experience, he will be training them for future service for the Lord. BSPC 177.2

“In every church there is talent, which, with the right kind of labor, might be developed to become a great help in this work. That which is needed now for the upbuilding of our churches is the nice work of wise laborers to discern and develop talent in the church talent that can be educated for the Master’s use. There should be a well-organized plan for the employment of workers to go into all our churches, large and small, to instruct the members how to labor for the upbuilding of the church, and also for unbelievers. It is training, education, that is needed. Those who labor in visiting the churches should give the brethren and sisters instruction in practical methods of doing missionary work.”—Ibid. BSPC 177.3

Leadership means giving counsel as well as receiving counsel, it means laying plans for advance moves in the work, it means leading the people to a higher plane of Christian experience, it means also building solidly in all the work until it is done. BSPC 177.4