The Big Boss

A dispute also arose among them, as to which of them was to be regarded as the greatest. And he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you. Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves. For who is the greater, one who reclines at table or one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at table? But I am among you as the one who serves. Luke 22:24-27 

I was watching a TV commercial the other night talking about how to recognize the big boss. It says the big boss wears a big wrist watch, rides a big car, lives in a big mansion, and … just does everything big!

How do we deal with a scripture like the above in the body of Christ today? This is one of our greatest challenges in the Pentecostal/Charismatic movement. Our pastors and bishops have become lords and masters. People who are supposed to be servants now have a retinue of aides serving them. They go about with bodyguards, travel with security escorts, and are accorded rock star welcome everywhere. I know this can be explained as giving honour to whom it is due. Uhmm, ... so who is the honour due? I wonder how Peter was honoured? ... and Paul? (Pls read Acts 10:25-26; Acts 14:13-15; Rev. 22:8-9)

How did we fall this low? How have we become so much like the world in our orientation, mindset and attitude? Today, the pastor sits on the best chair in the church. In fact, his chair is specially designed and must be different from the others on the altar. He rides the best car. He lives in the biggest mansion. The pastor is the Boss! That is it! That is the message we are giving out.

To make matters worse, we now call him daddy. And daddy must be honoured, respected and served. Our problems become complicated. We have transposed our culture into the kingdom instead of allowing our culture to be transformed by the word of God. We have rendered the word of God of no use by our tradition.

But look at the verdict of Jesus: But not so with you!

Can we become biblical in our mentality? Can we return to the scriptures in the conduct of our dealings and affairs? Can we pull down all these human structures we have built to subjugate the word of God? Can we beat a retreat from competing with the world in a race we can never win, and to which God has never called us? And … can we tell our bosses that the Church has only one Lord and Master, and it’s not the pastor?