Churches usually do not create entrenched boards, and problem deacons may not start that way. They evolve. A variety of negative processes moves them from spiritual ministry to carnal maneuvering.
Initially, when a church elects a group of deacons to serve as an official board and leadership team to work with the pastor, it is close to biblical purity. They have a good pastor. They have good leadership, and they are a spiritually healthy congregation. At times, it is like the Book of Acts with pastor and deacons in place, ministry authority properly flowing, and the church growing. Then a series of events unfolds to change the picture.
At least four situations may tempt deacon boards to overstep their biblical bounds. One or more occur at some time in the life of almost every church. They include resignation of the pastor, moral failure by a pastor, relocation of a board member or leader, or a lapse in pastoral leadership by a misinformed man of God.
When a Pastor Resigns
A common event which sets some churches on the wrong course of authority is resignation of the pastor. He may leave to serve another congregation, take another ministry post, or retire. Whatever the reason, he leaves the position of authority as pastor, and the deacons find themselves responsible for overseeing the church and all its ministries.
This creates a sensitive and vulnerable time for the church. Often the board faithfully carries out its responsibilities, leads a fruitful search for God’s choice, and surrenders authority to the new shepherd. If not, trouble begins.
Sometimes board members enjoy their situation, and they should. They thrill to hear the voice of God and share it with the people. The Lord speaks to them and gives them direction because He loves His church, but that does not mean they are to keep the position or have the authority in the house. It does not belong to them.
If the deacons lose sight of this fact and relish the power, if they enjoy feeling important with the people coming to them, they risk taking the first step to disrupting the church life and health. They may drag their feet in the pastoral search and, when finally they do find the right pastor, they may not give back all the authority. They may keep some for themselves.
Somewhere in the transition they have decided they are pretty good at this. They feel they have the right answers. They move themselves up in their own minds and in church authority. So, the second pastor does not receive the full authority of the first.
This process can continue three or four elections deep to diminish the pastor’s role to hireling shepherd. It produces a revolving door of short term pastors because each transition reinforces the illicit power base. The church no longer looks for a pastor to lead them. They want someone only to preach and do what they want done.
Churches in this all too common trap rob their communities of fruitful ministries and shut their doors to needy people. The gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s Church, but this subtle power encroachment brings a local church down from the inside.
When a Pastor Fails
A second situation which results in a shift of authority from the biblical channels is moral failure on the part of the pastor. When the local church shepherd falls into sin, the trust factor plummets for all preachers.
The next pastor doesn’t have a chance. Even though he brings a great track record, has proven trustworthy and faithful in godly living and leadership elsewhere, he is suspect in the wounded church.
Much like the woman who distrusts all men or the man who denounces all women because the one they loved betrayed them, board members and congregations seek to shield themselves from further pain. It defies logic, but they group all pastors with the one who has failed.
When that happens, the board members may find it in their hearts to redefine their roles. They suddenly feel it is their responsibility to keep the church pastor in line, to make certain he does not do anything amiss. Without trust, he cannot lead, they will not follow, and the church will flounder through a succession of ineffective and frustrated pastors.
When Board Members Move
A third scenario that disrupts the proper flow of authority can occur when board members change churches. A deacon, or another person in leadership, who has been affected by a pastoral failure or infected by an authoritative board, may be elected to office in a new church. He or she can bring the unhealthy perspective to the new congregation. It may have nothing to do with that local church but something has happened to the individual which he transfers to his new position.
The relocated deacon will begin trying to give direction, not just advice, to his new pastor. He moves out of the position God called him to fill and adopts an overseer mentality. To him, it is justified by his previous experience. He believes God wants him or the church needs him to do this. In fact, many malfunctioning deacons are good people just thinking wrong. Either way, he becomes a problem rather than a help for the pastor and people.
When a Pastor Misunderstands
Churches also may get upside down in authority when pastors misunderstand or abnegate their role as overseer. Sometimes well-meaning pastors train board members to be representatives of the people. They cultivate the mindset “you will be here though pastors come and go.”
This may seem to work well under that pastor. He has cultivated good relationships and developed trust with positive experience, but he is planting dangerous seeds for succeeding pastors.
If board members rise to the role for which they erroneously have been groomed, they may refuse to submit to a new pastor’s vision. Ultimately the church is split or stifled, and a misguided man of God started the process.
Supporting the pastor is the primary work of the deacon. If he instead exerts his own authority, for whatever reason, the church will suffer. Good deacons wrap their hands and their hearts around the fact that they help the pastor push back the enemy, and the whole church walks in blessing.