Avoiding Division When Elevating Leaders in the Church
Avoiding Division in Church Leadership
The New Testament emphasizes unity within the church, particularly when elevating leaders. In 1 Corinthians 12:25, Paul writes that the church should not have divisions, but rather its members should have the same care for one another [3]. This principle is crucial when appointing leaders, as it helps maintain harmony within the congregation.
The biblical basis for unity in the church is rooted in the concept of the body of Christ. According to Paul, the church is like a body composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (1 Corinthians 12:12-31) [4]. This metaphor emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation among church members. As Jamieson, Fausset & Brown note, each church is a miniature representation of the collective body of Christ [5].
When elevating leaders, the church must avoid creating divisions. Paul's exhortation to the Corinthian church to "speak the same thing" and be "perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment" (1 Corinthians 1:10) is relevant in this context [9]. Adam Clarke interprets this passage as an appeal to the church to abstain from dissensions and strive together for the hope of the Gospel [12].
The qualifications for church leaders, as outlined in the New Testament, also promote unity. In Titus 1:7, Paul describes a church leader as a "manager of God's household," emphasizing the importance of leadership qualities such as integrity and stewardship [10]. John Gill notes that elders who rule well should be respected and supported by the church, highlighting the need for unity between leaders and congregation [11].
The early Christian church faced challenges in maintaining unity, particularly during the process of appointing leaders. In 1 Timothy 5:1, Paul advises against speaking sharply to those in authority, instead encouraging respectful communication [1]. This principle is essential in avoiding division when elevating leaders.
The biblical concept of unity is not limited to the local church; it extends to the universal body of Christ. According to Tyndale House, the community of believers is one body, with allegiance to Jesus as Lord transcending differences and resulting in peace (Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:15) [6, 7]. This understanding of unity is crucial in avoiding division when elevating leaders, as it emphasizes the shared identity of all believers in Christ.
In the context of church leadership, unity is fostered by emphasizing the shared goals and values of the congregation. As Tyndale House notes, the church is a holy temple for the Lord, with Christ himself present among his people (Ephesians 2:21) [8]. This understanding of the church as a unified, Christ-centered community helps to minimize divisions when elevating leaders.
The process of elevating leaders can be a sensitive issue, but the biblical emphasis on unity provides a framework for navigating these challenges. By prioritizing the shared identity and goals of the congregation, churches can minimize divisions and promote harmony. As Joel 2:16 illustrates, the assembly of God's people should be a unified and sanctified gathering, with all members working together in harmony [2].
Sources
- I Timothy “I Timothy 5:1 (BBE) — Do not say sharp words to one who has authority in the church, but let your talk be as to a father, and to the younger men as to brothers:”
- Joel “Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly. Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts. Let the bridegroom go out of his room, and the bride out of her room. -- Joel 2:16”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 12:25 (LEB) — in order that there not be a division in the body, but the members would have the same concern for one another.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
- Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
- 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 1:10: Now I beseech you, brethren,.... The apostle having observed the many favours and blessings bestowed on this church, proceeds to take notice of the divisions and contentions which were fomented in it; and in the most kind and tender manner entreats them to take every proper step to prevent schisms among them: he does not use his apostolical power and authority, or lay his injunctions and commands upon them, which he might have done, but most affectionately beseeches them; styling them brethren, as they were in a spiritual relation, being children of the same Fa”
- Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 1:7: 1:7 A church leader (or An overseer, or A bishop) is a manager of God’s household: See 1:11; 2:2-10; 1 Tim 1:4; 3:4-5, 12, 15; 2 Tim 2:20-21. • These qualities indicate that an elder should not be running with the Cretan masses (see Titus 1:12).”
- 1 Timothy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Timothy 5:16: Let the elders that rule well,.... By whom are meant not elders in age; though such ought to be honoured and respected, and to have a proper maintenance either from their children or the church, when reduced, and incapable of helping themselves; but then this is what should be done to all such persons, whereas the elders here are particularly described as good rulers and labourers in the word and doctrine; besides, elders in age are taken notice of before; nor are civil magistrates intended, such as were called the elders of Israel; for though such as discharge the”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 1:10: Now I beseech you, brethren - The apostle having finished his introduction comes to his second point, exhorting them to abstain from dissensions, that they might be of the same heart and mind, striving together for the hope of the Gospel. By the name of our Lord Jesus - By his authority, and in his place; and on account of your infinite obligations to his mercy in calling you into such a state of salvation. That ye all speak the same thing - If they did not agree exactly in opinion on every subject, they might, notwithstanding, agree in the words which they u”