The Problem of the Self-Appointed: Hebrews 5b

A single person, out of thousands, may self-appoint himself into a position of great authority over the thousands.

This happens all the time in American society. Our system is supposed to elevate the natural leaders to supervision of our government and laws. Our legislatures are supposed to be composed of people that are most representative of those represented, to go speak on behalf of the whole.

But instead we get partisan hacks that manipulated the system for their own benefit.

A democratic republic that is functioning efficiently, should never have a man as President, that nobody heard of four years ago. And it should not keep returning to office Congressmen that have forgotten what it is like to be Average Joe Citizen.

If there is a vacancy in my local Planning Commission, I can go in, fill out a form, be interviewed by the Township Board, and receive its appointment. I have, in effect, appointed myself to a position where I can tell your neighbors what they can and cannot do on their own property. I do not have to have any special credentials. It is not important that my values match those of my neighbors. I just have to step forward, and suddenly my influence has multiplied many times over. And really, the most important factor is that I want the job.

Sadly, the same dynamic holds true in our churches. Some young person claims to have been "called" to the ministry. He or she receives the requisite college preparation, followed by ordination. Next thing you know, a person of under thirty years of age bears the mantle of "church authority" that is not to be questioned.

Also, one doesn't bestow such an honor on oneself but is called by God just as Aaron was.

The scriptural record could not be more clear. If we would care to look, the requirements for any position of leadership in the Church are delineated in detail. But here, perhaps the most important point is made: Gods calls people to the ministry. They do not appoint themselves. And I have seen enough young people get burned out in the ministry, such that their marriages fail, that we should be wary about entrusting God's calling to a person whose frontal lobe is not fully developed (at about the age of 25 - the frontal lobe governs our ability to weigh options and make wise judgments.)

All across society, at every level and in every profession, I believe that we suffer because we let people (particularly leaders) select themselves for important roles. If the most important quality of leadership is humility, then it's no wonder there is a crisis of leadership.

Leaders in the Bible were dragged into authority. They begged not to be appointed, or called.

So, when leadership or representation is called for, let us consider praying for wisdom first. Let those making the selection consider carefully if this person truly is viewed as a leader. Is she humble? Do others respect her? If a person is called to be a representative - then does he truly fit into the beliefs and background of the people to be represented?

The party system may be easy. And we may believe that a person wanting to lead should at least want the job! Whatever. It's not the model God showed us. And it is not getting us good results.