By far one of the greatest risk areas and potential areas of frustration for youth leaders is their relationship with those in authority over them within the church. Youth ministries will not be effective without a proper authority structure. In addition an understanding and obedience to those structures by the youth leadership is essential.
I know that as young leaders you and I have so many brilliant ideas on changing the world. We have plans, vision and a ton of energy to put toward that effort. Allow me to give you a warning. Following these passions without authority can lead to destruction. Destruction in your church, your own life and in the spiritual lives of the youth you care so much for. So, my dear youth leader friends, be very careful of how you walk and talk.
Allow me to insert here some incredible insights from a man that I highly respect Mr. Mike Boggs. Mike is a GYMN Board Member for our international work. Mike is older than I in age and experience and is someone in authority over me in our ministry. Mike has written the following as part of a larger publication (see end of article for details.
“From the beginnings of mankind, authority has been a major issue. A quick look at the beginning of the book of Genesis shows that God said specifically, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:24, bold added). God gave authority to man to rule. But he also limited man’s authority. Mankind, through the temptation of the enemy (the snake/Satan), chose to disobey God’s authority, resulting in the original sin. Even the very entry of evil came from a revolt of an angel under God’s authority. Lucifer, who became known as the devil (or Satan) made a decision to rebel against authority. Satan attempted to “…raise his throne above the stars of God…” and, in his words, to “…make myself like the most high…” (Isaiah 14:13-14, NASB). Rebellion against authority through self-seeking actions causes chaos. The results were tremendous both then and even now in our own lives. Ultimately most problems in our relationship with God or with others come from a misunderstanding or misuse of authority. We can learn from several Biblical examples to see how they dealt with authority and the outcome that was produced.
In Matthew 8:5-13 we read of an encounter that Jesus had with a Roman soldier, a centurion, one who had command over one hundred soldiers. The centurion had a servant who was so ill that he was near death. He asked Jesus to heal his servant and Jesus said that He would go see the servant and heal him. But, the soldier indicated that Jesus did not need to visit the servant, but could simply say the word and the servant would be healed. The centurion gave to Jesus a comparison to explain why he believed Jesus did not need to visit the servant. After the soldier gave his explanation, Jesus said that this centurion had a greater faith than anyone He had met even throughout Israel.
What did the centurion say that caused Jesus to acknowledge his great faith? The centurion explained that since he was personally in authority over soldiers, he could get things accomplished without actually being present by directing those under his authority to take action. But, before explaining his role in authority, he stated that he was also a man under authority. He was explaining to Jesus that he had authority over soldiers only because he was under the authority of others who gave him his authority. In fact, he received his authority ultimately from Caesar of Rome. The centurion believed that Jesus had the power to heal his servant by the authority that He had received from His Heavenly Father, God Almighty. Jesus recognized the soldier’s great faith, pointed it out to the Hebrews that were listening to the conversation, then told the soldier to go home because his servant had been healed.
What is the lesson for us? First, we need to recognize Jesus’ authority over all creation and humanity and then to act in a way that displays Him as the ultimate in authority. Secondly, we need to understand God’s plan and role for the authorities He has placed in our lives just like the authorities He had placed in the centurion’s life. Authorities are individuals or groups of individuals that God has put in a position of responsibility over us. This would include parents, pastors, elders, teachers, work supervisors, policemen, government officials, and for wives their husbands. God wants us as Christians to honor and to obey those He has placed over us for our protection and for our good. There are many biblical examples of those who both understood and obeyed this truth, and those who violated the teachings of obedience to authorities.
There are countless other verses that cry out for your attention to truly understanding authority. Space does not permit me to expound on each of these, but I will list them here for your studies.
1. Philippians 2:5-8
2. Luke 2:1-52
3. 1 Samuel 15
4. 1 Timothy 6:1
5. Titus 3:1
6. Romans 13:1
7. Matthew 17:24-27
8. Daniel 1
As a youth leader you may be volunteering your time or you may be receiving payment for your work. The time will come when you will ask yourself the question, “Is it time for me to leave? Is it time for me to go somewhere else or do something else?” Be very careful in answering those questions. Your future depends on the answers.
If you are considering a change, you probably are not happy with your present circumstances or you see a possibility for better circumstances somewhere else. Realize that there are risks with any move, so you need to be cautious.
Friction or disagreements between a youth leader and his or her present authority is often the circumstance that causes a youth leader to consider a change. Here are eight steps that you should take concerning your authority before you decide to step out from under that authority.
- Evaluate your attitude toward the authority. Do you have an attitude that is not pleasing to God? Do you have an attitude of independence, of ungratefulness, or one that is judgmental toward your authority? Ask God to help you get your attitude right before you make any decisions. A wrong attitude will cloud your thinking and can lead you to wrong conclusions.
- Make sure you have cleared all offenses you may have committed. If anyone can say that you have offended them, then you need to confess your offense and ask the offended to forgive you.
- Be sure you understand the basic purpose of your authorities’ directions to you. By knowing basic motivations of others, you can best judge the merits of their directions. Can you gauge the true motivation of the authority?
- Consider how you might meet those basic intentions, desires or expectations that the authority is placing on you. Can you be true to your own conscience, burden and purpose in ministry?
- Offer your suggested alternative for fulfilling the actions. Is there a different option that you can discuss in a mutual compromise with your authority?
- Display patience by allowing God time to work in the heart of your authority.
- Seek wisdom from those around you as well. (this thought added to Mike’s writings)
- After using the above actions make a prayerful decision. After you have fulfilled steps 1 and 2, then look for what God is telling you in steps 3 through 7. Having a right heart attitude along with a clear conscience allows you to see more clearly your authority’s intentions, and to perceive if you can successfully work under that authority.
If you make a choice to leave, make every effort to make it a peaceful and a friendly departure. If God is leading you elsewhere, He desires an orderly separation—a separation that restores and/or continues a God-honoring and fellowship strengthening result. You have a responsibility to protect the reputation of God and the current authority that you are under. We have a strong tendency to defend ourselves when accused of wrong actions or attitudes. Trust God to protect your reputation. Be honest about all things. Do not burn bridges over which you may want or need to cross in the future. A continual realization that God is in control and is guiding you even in difficult situations will give you the strength to follow His leading and the confidence to know you are in His will.
Go forward in faith and trust that God is and will guide you in your decisions. Know that He has begun a good work in you and He will be faithful to complete it. Sometimes that sharpening work happens through an abrasive leadership situation. At times our growth occurs in a nurturing relationship with an authority. Always realize that God is the ultimate authority and He knows what we need, when we need it. So in comfort or struggle, He will never leave you or forsake you.”
Chris Davis
Executive Director
Global Youth Ministry Network
(Almost this entire article is directly from an incredible 10 page booklet by Mr. Mike Boggs titled: “Help!!! I Am Tired of Being Told What To Do! – God’s Purposes for Authorities in Our Life”) For a download of that whole booklet click on this link
This post is part of a collection of articles sent as a follow-up to GYMN trainings.)
[...] In fact, one potential area of frustration for youth leaders is their relationship with those in authority over them within the church. But when we turn from authority to lift up ourselves, history and the many experiences of people I know point out that no good comes from doing so. Indeed having this authority over you is beneficial. One reason is that through it we can demonstrate obedience and humility to our youth. Authority structures also differ from church to church so a proper understanding of these structures is important. (This paragraph is based on a past YC article on authority, “Working For My Pastor and Church Leadership?”) [...]