I Have to Be in Control!

by James W. Moss, Sr.

I happen to love the name of the denomination I belong to.  It is the Churches of God.  We happen to believe that it is a biblical name.  The church in all but one instance is called the church of God in the Bible.  In that one other instant it is called the church of Christ.  I have no problem with the names of other tribes.  However, I am suggesting the implications of that name.  The church is God’s.  That is true of the church universal.  That is true of local bodies of faith.  The church belongs to God.

Over the years, I have encountered clergy and laity who were confused about that issue.  They had to be in control of what happens in the life of their church.  Any dissent presents a threatening problem.  The growth of a local church will ultimately challenge that control.  I have on numerous occasions over many years tried to remind some very strong people that they don’t own the church.  The church is God’s.  Again, that is true of both the church universal and a specific local church. 

Who is in control?

The question is not, “What do you want for your church?”  But rather, “What does God want for His church?”  Our goal should be to strive to identify that divine longing and then strive to fulfill it. 

What does God want for His church?  First of all, his longing will be consistent with the word.  Secondly, I am convinced that a person or a body of faith that goes in search of knowing the will of God will find it.  It can be frustrating to not know the will of God.  It can even be more frustrating to know the will of God and discover it is different from my will.  Then it is time for an obedience check.

Am I willing to submit my will to God’s for the life of His church?  Again, how do we determine His will.  His will must be consistent with His Word.  The Spirit of God will not give any direction contrary to His Word.  And secondly, the body of Christ will affirm that insight. 

The crisis of growth

Frequently, the issue of control arises when a church grows.  One new family is grand.  Two new families are fun.  Three new families is a problem.  Now the new people are taking over my church.  It is obvious that growth becomes more permanent when some of the new people replace long-term attendees on the governing board.

I am quite cognizant that some personality types will tend to want control.   The D type personality in the DISC will want to be in charge.  Control is a key issue for this personality type.  D’s have no trouble making decisions.  They may not be the right one but making decisions is not the problem.  In fact, the D’s can see clearly what needs to be done.  What is wrong with the rest of the people?  But, even Christian D’s must submit their will to the will of God.

If one person has to be in total control whether that person is clergy or lay, the church will be limited in its capacity to grow.  It will grow no larger than that person’s capacity to lead, equip, and to set people free to serve.  Some pastors have difficulty setting people free to serve.

There is no problem until the new people want to take the church in directions that the person longing for control doesn’t want to go . . . or conversely, if the new people don’t want to go where the person in control wants to take them.  There could well be a major crisis at that point. 

The church has grown and the control is challenged frequently because of the ministry of a quality pastor.  Unless the pastor is very patient and carefully steering the ship, there could be a disastrous pastoral change—disastrous for both pastor and people.  The pastor will leave frustrated and long before necessary.  The people will be disappointed because the successor will seldom lack the skill and accomplishments of their predecessor.  Quality people will be disillusioned because they will know the church made a mistake that hindered its future and may never become what it might have been for the sake of the kingdom.

Unfortunately, I have listened as a key, strong person said, “I will see this church close before I turn this church over to such rabble as this.”  And they succeeded. 

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