Christian Leadership Question - On Fleshly Leadership
There has been no takers on my call to discuss the resurrections. There
could be many reasons but I think that it is an issue that I will have
to work out myself and get back to you with more concrete ideas on it. I
have tried to reconcile these things before and keep coming up more
confused. Let's leave it at that.
I finished that essay on the laying on of hands. This, more than
anything that we have discussed, except for maybe the man-child
discussion, reflects the ideas brought forth in this group. See it at
http://latter-rain.com/church/layingonofhands.htm. There was one point
that I added in it that we should discuss.
I am having a big problem with Christian "leadership" as regard if we
are to be leaders or ministers. This issue has already got me in trouble
with the Apostle's Gathering group where I reacted strongly against the
"pecking order" and those who promote so-called leadership. I know we
have those called to leadership conferences, youth leaders, church
leaders and all kind of leaders. I keep hearing from them good things
that wants me to change my mind about leaders in the church but I keep
turning around and ultimately reject the idea. I shake my head no every
single time. I believe that if we are to have true restoration, we need
to get back to the apostolic and reject fleshly leadership and being
called as leaders. I am always willing to change on my opinions if I
can be persuaded but every time I am tried on this subject, it comes
back to me that Jesus should be our only leader. This is the paragraph
from my page concerning abuses of the laying on of hands that I am
referring to and about the middle of the paragraph. That theme in part
is carried through the article. The sentence on presumption by
leadership here is even word for word from one in our group so I am not
the only one.
"Many churches today still use the laying on of hands as a ritual to
"confirm" people with no real power. Even so called
spirit filled churches will lay hands on each other without power. There
are abuses and excesses reported in the area of
the laying on of hands, groping, touching women in the wrong places,
laying on of heavy hands and the pushing over of
people. The Holy Ghost is supposed to be received at this time when
nothing necessarily happens. Leadership positions
are conferred by the laying on of hands. Those in the New Testament had
never confirmed or bestowed leadership, in
all cases it was Jesus as the true leader and the true disciples were
given ministerial functions as servants in the church,
not leaders. Those in leadership positions in the church today are
acting in the flesh according to the pride of their
calling. It is important not to step out of Gods will into any kind of
presumption by leadership. Many abuse the power
and use it according to their spiritual pride. We should avoid the
abuses and excesses, but not draw back from the
practice of the laying on of hands. More holy hands power will belong to
us as each day brings us closer to the end-time
restoration and latter rain outpouring according to our humility and
being in one accord with the truth. Holy hands even
with little faith under this kind of power is sufficient to drive out
demons and heal the sick."
I am suspicious of anyone who wishes me to follow them into the Kingdom.
I only want to follow Jesus. The best that I can do to get others into
the kingdom is to point them to our leader Jesus Christ. If that is me
being a leader, let me know. I am here to serve and have so far rejected
any kind of pecking order. I want us all to be walking shoulder to
shoulder marching in one rank into the Kingdom behind our One Lord,
Jesus Christ. Correct me if I am wrong and if I am right, we need to
take a stand on this together.
Jay.
January 5, 2000
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