Introduction⤒🔗

The minister plays a prominent role in the churches. He is more visible than any other member of the church. He leads the public worship services, officiates at weddings and funerals, teaches the youth of the church, and usually chairs all consistory and council meetings. He is also often the first one called upon for advice and comfort when difficult problems and issues arise. In all this, it is his task to encourage and admonish all those who have been put in his charge. For these reasons, he wields a lot of influence and has a lot of authority.

Like anything else, this authority can be misused. Throughout my ministry, when dealing with difficult situations, I have had to struggle against this temptation. As a minister of the Word I know how easy it is to abuse one’s position, and so this article applies to me more than anybody. We must all guard against the abuse of authority in the church, or the church will suffer and the proclamation of the Gospel will be hindered.

The Purpose of Authority←⤒🔗

The minister receives his authority from God himself. He is, as the Form for the Ordination of Ministers states, God’s gift to the church. In the gathering of his church, it pleases God to use the ministry of man. He, of course, could have done this without the aid of man. Matthew 3:9 says, “I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.” Indeed, He can even use an animal as an instrument of God’s Spirit to proclaim his Word. That is what He did when He used a donkey to prophesy to Balaam.

Despite the fact that God does not need man to gather his church, it pleases Him to use sinful men in this endeavour. It is a beautiful task that He gives to them. Ministers of the Word are the heralds of good tidings. They may announce the coming of the King and they may invite God’s people to a wonderful feast. They may declare to all those who put their trust in the Lord, and who do not want to live in their sins, that their sins are forgiven and that the gates of heaven are open to them.

However, the position of minister comes with great responsibilities as well. Ministers of the Word must also proclaim to all those who do not want to repent that the gates of heaven are shut to them. God gives ministers, along with elders, the authority to handle the keys of God’s kingdom.

Ministers are in the service of the great key holder himself, the Lord Jesus Christ. They must use their authority in the way that Christ himself uses his authority. God holds them accountable for their words and actions. Ministers need to be continually aware of the fact that every gift from God is given for the further advancement of his Kingdom. The gift of authority, then, is also given to further the glory of God; it is not intended for the advancement of man’s glory.

Christ’s Example of Authority←⤒🔗

When the Lord Jesus came to earth full of divinity and authority, He did a remarkable thing. Rather than retain his glory, He gave it all up. Christ emptied himself of the glory He had with his Father. And even though He was endowed with the highest authority, and had every right to exercise that authority without delay and concession, He held back. He did not use his rightful authority in a heavy-handed way. Jesus could have insisted on exercising his rights and immediately destroyed those who questioned his position. However, for the sake of sinful man, He did not do so. It would have meant the end of us all. Instead, He was gentle and humble in the application of his authority. Christ restrained himself because He understood that the only way to lead sinful man to the Father was by demonstrating patience, humility, and compassion (Matthew 11:28).

Implications for the Ministry←⤒🔗

Christ’s example provides an enormously beneficial insight into the proper application of authority for the office of minister. Although ministers (and elders) have been given a great deal of authority, they must restrain themselves in the use of their authority. In the first place, ministers, unlike Christ, are sinful. They are therefore limited in their understanding of human nature, including their own human nature. Sinful man wants to protect his own honour and glory. He is afraid to have his authority questioned by others. And if his authority is questioned, his inclination is to lash out.

A minister has to be careful that he does not give in to these inclinations. He is a servant of God, and he must lead the sheep to the Father. He may not be insecure about his position of authority. Christ wasn’t. He knew that the Father would vindicate Him. He knew that ultimately his position was not being threatened when others did not listen to Him. He understood that the disobedient threaten their own standing with God. All those who do not accept Christ’s authority reject the Father’s authority and stand condemned. God does not endow any of us with authority for our own sake and honour, but for the sake of God who wants all mankind to be reconciled to Him. After all, ministers are engaged in a ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18ff).

Practical Implications←⤒🔗

Like Christ, the work of ministers needs to be characterized by humility, compassion, and patience. 2 Thessalonians 2:7 provides an illustration from the work of the apostles. Here Paul compares the work of a minister to a mother and father with their children. Like parents with their children, the task of the minister is to encourage, comfort, and urge those under their care to live lives worthy of God. Likewise, the apostle Peter reminds those in positions of authority to be careful how they utilize their authority when he writes,

Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Ministers abuse their authority when they make the people feel the heavy hand of authority by insisting on texts such as Hebrews 13:7 and 17, which exhort readers to respect their leaders and to obey them. Such individuals ignore texts such as Mark 10:42-45, 2 Corinthians 1:24, and 1 Peter 5:2, which remind those in leadership positions that their authority ought to be characterized by selflessness, gentleness, and restraint.

Conversely, ministers who endeavour to use their authority as it is intended to function recognize that everything given to us in this life, including authority, is given to us to help us attain salvation and to help us serve others in their pursuit of salvation.

Conclusions←⤒🔗

Authority in the church is a gift from God. Those who have been given such authority can be thankful that the Lord entrusts them with such a wonderful gift. It is amazing that He uses sinful men to gather his church, even though they often do not use their positions properly. In spite of their many shortcomings, God wants to use ministers of the Word. However, those who have been given positions of authority must be aware of the great responsibilities that come with authority. Also, church members must realize that men are placed in positions of authority in the church for their benefit and for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom. For this reason, they owe them proper respect.