QUESTIONS FROM THE MARKETPLACE: "Teaching Gifts & Church Hierarchy"

In this passage, after listening to His disciples debate status amongst themselves, Jesus provided the following correction: “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called `benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the least, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves.” (verses 25-27) In the world’s system, a hierarchy is defined as “a privilege of organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.” The proverbial pyramid structure with the “greatest” at the apex. According to our Lord and Savior in the passage provided above hierarchy is defined as “a responsibility within the organism that the Body of Christ is in which people or groups are gifted and/or selected to serve others, supporting their development and growth according in submission to scriptural authority. The inverted pyramid. Despite the clear cautionary command of our Lord, many throughout the century have adapted the hierarchical structure of the world to the church, leading to rampant abuse of authority and misinterpretation of God’s Word. As many have begun to wake up to this distortion in revolution, some have even gone as far as to challenge the very existence of any hierarchical in the church ever. Does the Word of God teach such a thing? And if it did once, is such a thing even viable today? Join me as we launch into the deep regarding this topic. You can participate live during the broadcast by joining the online chat room, or by calling in at (607)203-5370. All questions and/or comments offered after the broadcast should be directed to (614)388-8838 or you can e-mail me at ryoung@arcstudies.org