SHOULD CHRISTIANS FOLLOW ONE RELIGIOUS LEADER?

To follow or not follow a religious group or leader should be based on principle and character rather than on-look admiration. It calls for a person who can match what scripture says he should be. He should be Christian and must be of a given character.

Scripture is the principle guide

It is impossible to do without leaders, (only if they do not intend to assume powers they should not). For some leaders can be misleading. This kind of scenario also perturbed the Apostle Paul so much that by what he wrote to the Galatians, you can feel his anger (Galatians 2:6). So, if even the Prophet Jonah had tried to resist going the way God had commanded and directed him, what makes one believe that it won't happen to them? And if a leader can be misled, can't he be the one to mislead others? Sometimes it is the very leaders who may stand as a hindrance to the accomplishment of the very task.

In this therefore, whatever it may be, leadership is categorical. Rather that leadership can be unique to a particular person as may be intended for a particular people (Galatians 2:7-9). This implies that one who may not fall under that particular category may not necessarily entirely admit to it.

The case of Elijah gives us very good lessons. The prophet Elijah was complaining to God how that all men of God had been murdered. And that he was the only surviving individual (1Kings 19:9-14). God in reply told him (Elijah) that He (God) had a reserve of Seven hundred who had not bowed to Baal (1Kings 19:18). God's statement to Elijah teaches us that God does not condition His work on an individual who can be vulnerable and wanting in many ways.

But it is also paramount to understand that He (God) does not go on picking on one person after the other. This is because He is the Omniscient God who chooses on whoever He does when He already knows who they are. Rather if God has chosen on a particular person for a given task, He (God) will make sure that that person accomplishes the task.

When God told Elijah of His (God's) reserve of Seven Hundred, did He disqualify him (Elijah)? The same also is mirrored in Jonah's case (Jonah 1). Why didn't God just choose on another person in place of Jonah when Jonah had initially diverted to Tarshish rather than Nineveh where he had been sent? God will use a person if He chooses to despite a person's seeming literal limitations.

Jonah

So then, all this should teach us that leadership comes from God. And so it is God who empowers a person to perform a leadership role. Not that that person is talented to be so by his own ability. Thus then , no one should boast that he is in leadership. Leadership is God's own project.

Additionally, leadership may not be about pleasing individuals, but fulfilling a mission. Christian leadership should never be compromised in any way (Galatians 1:10). We should always keep to the dictates of the calling. Otherwise, you can always be disqualified albeit may continue to seem as one.

Therefore then, a leader should stick to the way how he has been called. As a leader, you are answerable to the Master (Jesus Christ). However, this is not to say you are entirely and completely independent of whoever. Rather you are also accountable to the ones you lead and those you lead with. That is why the leadership of the Church of Christ is built on pastors, elders, and deacons who are all expected to work together under a head who also is guided by the Holy Spirit (but together as a team) (1Timothy 3:1-10, 5:17), (Titus 1:6-9), (James 5:14), (1Peter 5:1), (Acts 14:23, 15:1-2, 15:4).

Yet Pentecostalism (to which I subscribe) does not readily entertain centralized leadership. As so, we do not believe in universal religious leaders. We believe that Jesus CHRIST is the universal head of the Church. He Jesus) directs the Church by giving us the Holy Spirit.

We do not believe in universal (earthly) headquarters of the Church. We believe that the headquarters of the Church is in heaven. However, in certain incidences, there are denominational heads. But like we have mentioned above, there are leaders in pastors, elders and deacons without whom, a church may be difficult to manage well.

Pentecostalism is founded on scripture. Rather Pentecostals should not practice any extra canonical  authority. Looking to Jesus CHRIST is the principle.

Pentecostal Christianity is also not necessarily concerned with following a particular leader. It is strongly advisable, though, to belong somewhere under someone. It is crucial that everybody is discipled as a requirement for disciplined Christian living and for would be Christian leaders.

But for a personal relationship with God is categorically a decision of an individual. It is undeniable, though, that some other people come into our lives (when they are God sent) to help guide us into a relationship with God, yet the final counting decision is solely made by a particular person. For in Spiritual terms, every particular person will account for their decisions (Romans 14:10-12). Yet this is not to wish away each other's responsibilities (Ezekiel 3:20, 33:6).   

Thus then, there is no reason why a Christian shouldn't follow someone if they guide them in the way of and to Christ (Ephesians 5:2), (Philippians 2:1-8). I follow a leader in whom I can envisage the required materials to guide me in the way of Christ and subsequently to heaven. That is the one major reason I chose to be Christian.

Could we expound on these virtues for a Christian leader?

• Follower of Jesus CHRIST/Christian.

• Following Scripture.

• Character.

Follower of Jesus CHRIST/Christian

A Christian leader must be one who follows and submits to the authority of CHRIST. After all, the whole philosophy of Christianity is about CHRIST without whom, it could have never been. The Apostle Paul is only in position to instruct the Corinthians to follow him for one outstanding reason; that he followed CHRIST (1Corinthians 11:1).

Follow me as I follow Christ

For the Apostle Paul to be what he had become (an Apostle and a leader), it was not for who he was/is. Rather it was/is for what he had chosen to submit to; Paul had chosen to follow Jesus CHRIST. To be a Christian leader therefore, you have to have committed to submission to CHRIST. Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of the Christian Faith (Isaiah 28:16), (Psalms 118:22), (Acts 4:10-11), (Romans 9:33), (Ephesians 2:20-22), (1Peter 2:7-8).

Following scripture.

A Christian leader must be one who takes scripture as how it is laid down in the Bible. Rather he should be guided by the Holy Spirit just within and along the path of what scripture stipulates. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

It is scripture which guides a Christian leader to lead just how God requires. Christian leadership isn’t about prestige; it is about guiding a people into the right path which leads them to heaven. This was the basic mission of Jesus while on earth. He gave up all so that He could lead a soul out of hell to heaven. 

So then, Christian leadership is sacrificial as is exemplified by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. A leader must not be selfish. This is not about self. It is about the people being led. Scripture, as guided by the Holy Spirit is the foundation. 

How well or wrongly/poorly scripture is used will define the destination of and which product one individual will become. If one is guided by instructions as they are stipulated in scripture, there is no reason why Christians shouldn’t follow them, if they happen to be in a position of leadership.

NB We shout when the Bible shouts, we keep silent if it does keep silent.

Character.

A leader must be exemplary (1 Timothy 3:2-12), (Titus 1:6). For leadership is not a wishful matter. How one leads tells much what product the people he leads become. A Christian leader should not be a leader for himself, but for the people. This is what must manifest in their character. 

A leader must not be emotional, must be one with a mission, from which he can’t be swayed by rumors, insults or provocations. This is just how Jesus defeated the devil. He (Jesus) was never overtaken by insults. He was never provoked. He kept Himself to the dictates of the mission. 

Jesus defeated the devil by character, and finally by the crucifixion. Jesus' character is part of what gives us confidence in Him. A leader must have the confidence of the people he leads. This only comes by a consistent exemplary character.

A leader, who can fulfill the above, could be assured of people's confidence to and allegiance in them. Christian leadership can only be made possible and successful if with CHRIST. For Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of the Christian Faith (Hebrews 12:2). 

To have or not to have the authority should depend on whether you follow CHRIST as the overall head and model of the Church. CHRIST grants the authority. It is all about Jesus CHRIST. 

The Church of Jesus Christ is not for promoting persons. No. Not at all. The Church of Christ is for promoting God's Kingdom. Everyone who wishes to serve or lead in God's service must fit just within this particular agenda of God. Short of this is automatic disqualification.