Authority through credibility

Authority and the clergy—this has not always been a good combination; but can the clergy function without authority?

History has too many examples of abuses of authority by the clergy. At times, the clergy have used even secular authorities to enforce their views. Some have claimed they did it for the salvation of the people. Perhaps the goal was good, but often the outcome was violence and, not too infrequently, death. Whatever the motive, these outcomes cannot be justified.

At other times, the clergy have used their perceived authority and standing in the community for evil purposes. Throughout the world, we are bombarded with reports of sexual abuse by the clergy—often committed upon children. It pains me to read and hear the reports, giving details of clergy sexual abuse. Often nothing was done about these evil acts. If you think that in your denomination such things have not happened, think again.

Recently, I saw a cartoon¹ in a newspaper that told me what many think of the clergy. In the cartoon was a picture of Jesus and on the bottom of it were the words, “ ‘Let the little children come to me’ (Matt. 19:14, NIV).” In front of that picture, a clergyperson holds a snare. Next to that clergyperson is another one who says, “What a great recruitment poster!” The tragedy is that some of the clergy have behaved just this way—using their spiritual authority for evil purposes. The days when clergy members were trusted individuals across the board are gone. Or perhaps, those days never existed.

What now?

The examples of abuses of authority could be multiplied; but does that mean that clergy members have no authority? If they do, what kind of authority is it, and how is it perceived and exercised? Matthew tells us that Jesus “taught as one who had authority” (Matt. 7:29, NIV). Luke tells us that the people in Capernaum were “amazed at his teaching, because his message had authority” (Luke 4:32, NIV). In his final charge to the disciples, as recorded by Matthew, Jesus said to the disciples, “ ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been give to me.’ ” What follows is not “go and be authoritative,” but rather “ ‘go and make disciples of all nations . . .’ ” (Matt. 28:18, 19). It seems that the authority referred to by Jesus is not really authority over people, but authority recognized because of the teachings and outcomes. Ministers of the gospel are not military generals. They are witnesses to transformation, inviting others to experience the same transformation.

Authority and the spiritual life

Secular authority is often tied to power—power over career, position, income, property, and even life. Clergy authority is tied to our spiritual life and recognition by people that we are faithful to our spiritual principles. Secular authority may be tied to a legal document giving a person certain authority. Spiritual authority is tied to the Word of God. Whenever spiritual leaders attempt to exercise authority that does not belong to them or is inappropriate, they fail God’s people and their spiritual lives have been damaged or even destroyed.

What are some ways that the clergy can develop a healthy, spiritual authority? Always keep in mind that spiritual authority is based in a Person. The Scriptures present God as that Person and not as an impersonal force or mechanism. Our authority comes from faithfulness to God and His Word; and it resides in us not as a right, but as a gift. Spiritual authority must be nourished or it will become oppressive and harmful both to others and us. I have worked with a number of outstanding individuals who have been my supervisors. I looked to them as authority figures, not so much because they had important titles, but because of the kind of persons they were. A title may describe what a person does, but it does not provide spiritual authority for the individual. The individuals I have in mind had my respect—and I accepted them as authority figures—no matter what title they had.

Spiritual authority has to do with the credibility of the person.² Can the person be trusted? Is this person someone who lives what he or she teaches? Or does he or she use authority for personal gain and even harm to others? Does the person have authority because of a title or because those around him or her accept his or her authority because of his or her faithfulness to God and the spiritual life God wants him or her to live? We cannot borrow spiritual authority—it is a part of our character.

Is spiritual authority elusive so that only a few can find it? Not really. We just have to look for it in the right places—God and His Word lived out in our lives.

Faithfulness to God—in public and private—gives spiritual authority.