This is just as true for local congregations as it is in the secular world.
I think at the heart of it is a lack of accountability. As it is said of Colonel Nathan Jessup in A Few Good Men, "You don't get to his position without learning how to side step a few land mines."
The way many leaders do this is by insulating themselves from critique. They aren't challenged, they aren't pushed, they simply aren't held accountable for their lives.
When leaders go long periods of time without accountability and without any checks to their power, they become corrupted. They are not corrupted by outside forces but by the tiny voice in their head that says, "MORE!"
Don't look behind the curtain, you just might not like what you find.
As a slave to the corporation I can attest to bigger is not bettter. So much fat, so much red tape.
ReplyDeleteAs far as large congregations... the more and more I learn in my walk, the more I seem to think that the smaller the better. 2 or more. (However, without accountability and connection this too could get out of hand) During early Methodism, the "clergy" would ride a circuit of churches and connect. The layity was resoinsible for the weekly meetings and the circut riders would confirm and baptize any new converts, adminster communion, marry and bury, as well as encourage the layity and ensure the Word was being rightly divided.
I like this model.
In both the corporate world and in faith.
jtramell I think that at the end of day, whatever the size, the issue comes back to accountability. If there is lack of accountability, then this kind of thing is going to happen.
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