²⁷ Now you [collectively] are Christ’s body, and individually [you are] members of it [each with his own special purpose and function]. ²⁸ So God has appointed and placed in the church [for His own use]: first apostles [chosen by Christ], second prophets [those who foretell the future, those who speak a new message from God to the people], third teachers, then those who work miracles, then those with the gifts of healings, the helpers, the administrators, and speakers in various kinds of [unknown] tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But earnestly desire and strive for the greater gifts [if acquiring them is going to be your goal]. And yet I will show you a still more excellent way [one of the choicest graces and the highest of them all: unselfish love].

Paul also talks about counseling: “For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

The biblical counseling method utilizes the scripture as the source of magnifying glass that walks along as a guide on the side by focusing the individual pointing to Christ as the source of hope of healing.

Leadership and Counselors: What safe place do you offer? God? Or living in their painful past?

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I love word studies. Because there have been varying shades of truth in this situation, I wanted to see if the Bible defines Truth.

The Greek word for Truth is aletheia, which refers to “divine revelation” and is related to a word that means “what can’t be hidden.” It defines the concept that truth is always there, always open and available for all to see, with nothing hidden or obscured.

Exodus 20:16 says You shall not testify falsely [that is, lie, withhold, or manipulate the truth] against your neighbor (any person).

In John, Jesus says, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.

Church leadership in your zeal to defend an action, if you have to misrepresent the truth, even one shade. If you have to manipulate the narrative, you become the issue. Biblical repentance and humbly revealing the truth is necessary.

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Even if you have been slandered, mistreated, and shamed by someone in authority at a church, while it is normal to feel hurt and angry, we must let God fight this battle. I personally want to rain fire down, but I’m told in the Old Testament that I only need to be still and let God fight the battle for me.

I do think it’s interesting to note that while God requires me to forgive, he requires me to repent to receive His forgiveness. Less-than-honorable leadership in the church doesn’t require them to repent to me for me to forgive, but spiritual repentance requires a complete turning away from unbiblical behavior. If they don’t, that’s when we get to shake the dust and treat them as unbelievers.

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Let me also say that I believe the modern-day Church is still applicable today. I know that each of us in a church is a fallible human. So, I’m going to start with the Biblical principles of a church. First, it’s always used as a group of believers (i.e., Christians). In Corinthians 1:2, it’s referred to as a local congregation; in Ephesians 1, it’s referred to as the entirety of the people of God, when Jesus was referred to as “the head over all things to the church, which is his body.”

Roles in the leadership of the church. Jesus is the founder, chairman of the board, executive officer, managing partner, etc. The Bible was written under his authority. He made the rules. Pastors are the tenders of the flock, the shepherds, the teachers.

I personally love the Amplified version of the Bible – to me, it’s a great place to start my research, then I like going to the NKJV, and finally the ESV. Here is what the amplified says about Elders

“This is a faithful and trustworthy saying: if any man [eagerly] seeks the office of ^[a]overseer (bishop, superintendent), he desires an excellent task. ² Now an overseer must be blameless and beyond reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³ not addicted to wine, not ^[b]a bully nor quick-tempered and hot-headed, but gentle and considerate, free from the love of money [not greedy for wealth and its inherent power—financially ethical]. ⁴ He must manage his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity [keeping them respectful and well-behaved] ⁵ (for if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?). ⁶ and He must not be a new convert, so that he will not [behave stupidly and] become conceited [by appointment to this high office] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil [for his arrogance and pride]. ⁷ And he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside the church, so that he will not be discredited and fall into the devil’s trap.”

I Timothy 3

And here’s what it says about deacons

^8 [c]Deacons likewise must be men worthy of respect [honorable, financially ethical, of good character], not double-tongued [speakers of half-truths], not addicted to wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, ⁹ but upholding and fully understanding the mystery [that is, the true doctrine] of the [Christian] faith with a clear conscience [resulting from behavior consistent with spiritual maturity]. ¹⁰ These men must first be tested; then if they are found to be blameless and beyond reproach [in their Christian lives], let them serve as deacons. ^11 [d]Women must likewise be worthy of respect, not malicious gossips, but self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things. ¹² Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. ¹³ For those who have served well as deacons gain a high standing [having a good reputation among the congregation], and great confidence in the faith which is [founded on and centered] in Christ Jesus.

1 Timothy 3:8-13

What happens when leadership has a failure? It’s not a moral failure per se, but what happens when leadership is bullyish, tells half-truths, is a respecter of persons, or plays favorites? What is the average church attendee’s recourse?

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