Whether you’re hunting for honor, trolling for tributes, pumping for privilege, asking for advantages or posturing for position–call it whatever you want but what it is is robbing God of something that’s His and His alone.
All the glory
I read a blog post by Tony Morgan that really spoke to an issue most are ignoring. In it, Tony was sort of like the little 5 year old kid in the story of the “Emperor and his Clothes.” Tony is pointing out an embarrassing fact most are refusing to see.
Jesus saw it…
Luke 14:7-11
“Now he told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed(A) how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8“When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place,(B) so that when your host comes he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you.
11For(C) everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
There’s a story told of a famous principle Cairns who was so humble and meek that he wouldn’t even enter a room before others—preferring to stand aside and say to them, “You first, I’ll follow.”
One time, at an honored event he was stepping toward the platform when it was his turn to speak. The audience erupted in applause when they saw him, which froze Cairns in his tracks. Never for a second imagining the applause could be for him, he stepped back and motioned for the man behind him to go first—imagining the clapping was for him. He then stood back and joined in the applause with the rest of the crowd.
In many churches today—that would never happen. And that’s because we have hijacked the word honor, filled it with a whole new meaning, and then placed it back on the shelves and hoped no one would notice. Only they are—by the thousands.
Honor is clearly taught in the Bible, but what we see today is clearly not honor. As I said, Church leadership consultant, Tony Morgan wrote a blog on this recently—I’ll finish my thoughts with his post…
The “Culture of Honor” is Hurting Churches
March 31, 2011 in Leadership with 42 Comments
At the risk of not showing honor to peers in ministry, I want to tackle the topic of honor today. I’m concerned. I see a trend in churches that I think is unhealthy. Honestly, I believe it’s also unbiblical.
There are a number of churches today that are trying to teach a culture of honor. The concept of honor is biblical. In fact, Romans 12:10 tells us to:
“Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” (ESV)
We should show honor to our leaders, but God designed it to go both directions. If it’s one-way, it’s unhealthy and unbiblical.
Let me explain further how God designed honor to work in church leadership. First of all, we are supposed to submit to our leaders. Hebrews 13:17 says:
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”
One of the ways we show honor to our leaders is by submitting to their authority. At the same time, though, leaders are instructed to show honor by serving those they lead:
“But Jesus called them to him and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’”
That’s the servant leadership that seems to be missing when the “culture of honor” is carried out to the extreme. Servant leadership only goes one direction. When that happens, honor only goes one direction.
Honor is supposed to go both ways. That’s not what I’m seeing in churches today. Some churches are trying to create a culture where all the underlings are supposed to honor their senior pastor by serving his every need, by guarding him from the congregation and by always saying “yes sir” to every request among other things. Being armor-bearers to each other is one thing, when it creeps into making the pastor the “king” it’s a completely different deal.
My fear is that this “culture of honor” trend plays right into the sin of pride. Unchecked, pastors can quickly get to a very unhealthy place for themselves, their ministry and their marriages. God did not design the pastor to be the rock star. God charged pastors to equip God’s people to do the work of God. When an unhealthy “culture of honor” is promoted, God’s people wait for “God’s man” to do the work of God. That may work for someone who only intends to be a preacher, but it doesn’t work if you are trying to be a pastor.
Here’s some wisdom that may help you begin taking steps in the right direction:
“The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.” (Proverbs 15:33, ESV)
If you want to receive honor, you have to give honor. If you want to experience honor, you have to embrace humility. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Rather than expecting your church to show you honor, maybe your focus should be on serving your church.
I’m thankful for leaders in my life who have modeled a healthy approach to servant leadership. I’m learning daily what it means to be a servant leader.
I am too, and it’s none too easy!