Churches can be great social institutions but as I’ve commented on previously they can also be places of political power plays. I also talked about moral warfare and risk of seeming the “bad guy” because of opposition. It’s a theme that goes way back, as you can see in John 12: 42-43:
“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue;for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.”
Again in John 7: 12-13
“Among the crowds there was widespread whispering about him. Some said, “He is a good man.”
Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.”
Others replied, “No, he deceives the people.”But no one would say anything publicly about him for fear of the Jews.”
To many Jesus was also the “bad guy” who “deceives the people”. But the main point I’m making in this post is the leverage of fear -how a group can use rejection from the group as a means of controlling people and negating opposition. This can really apply to any social group and can stem from insecurities of someone in leadership. Often it’s really down to the integrity of the leader.
Theoretically a good Christian church won’t have this problem, because the leader should lead as a servant, thus making it an unenviable position. But in this modern phenomenon of “super churches” and personality leaders I definitely have a lot of doubts.
In the cartoon I’ve also made the issue of one-on-one discipling because I think it helped solidify a power structure in churches that is not necessary or biblical.
