Warnings Against Authoritarianism

There seem to be two polar opposite problems facing the American evangelical church today regarding pastoral authority. On the one hand, there is much rebellion against the God-given authority of elders. Men often think that the local church is a democracy, rather than a monarchy with King Jesus as her only Head. And He has, by His Holy Spirit, appointed a plurality of men known as elders to be overseers who rule authoritatively over the church. But the opposite problem is when pastors become authoritarians. Connected to this is clericalism, when by the use of clerical robes and clerical titles men swell with pride and distance themselves from God's people. It is against this latter error that our Lord gives His rebuke. We are not to be like the scribes and Pharisees, we are to serve with the humility of Christ Himself.