We westerners tend to think of ourselves as independent people who are learning to live fully our God-given life and potential. But Kirshenbaum (Finding The True Meaning Of The Events In Our Lives) challenges this:
I think people today have trouble being who they really are because as social creatures we live in a hierarchical world in which we’re highly dependent on others.
She suggests that the reason we become dependent on the hierarchical systems we live in is because of our need for approval and our need to keep relationships intact. She says that we tend to feel that in order to survive and "to get what we need we sometimes have to become less like the people we authentically are."
I have not read this book, I was only provided with some quotes from a friend (John Gray).
However, it is worth looking at the way that hierarchy in our culture has shaped the way we are and has caused us to become comfortable (dependent?) on similar structures within our churches. Perhaps the problem is not just hierarchy within churches but our own inability to find our authentic identity in Christ. The result is that out of our neediness we fall into a dependency on external authorities to tell us how to live and act in order to be "approved by" or "okay" with others. In other words, at some level we are comfortable with hierarchical structures because they meet our need for external affirmation and approval.
As long as we need our approval and identity to be affirmed by externals, we will likely create hierarchical type systems to be part of–even in simple/house church models. As long as we need our approval and identity to be affirmed by others, we will probably relate wrongly to spiritual authority including genuine, servant, spiritual authority.
The answer, therefore, is not simply to reject forms of church that are hierarchical. Nor is the answer to reject community all together.
Somehow, we are going to come to the place where whole people, fully alive in God, are able to join with one another in healthy interdependence. We know that a healthly marriage relationship comes from two healthy people who are not emotionally dependent on each but healthy enough to support, give, love, and care for the other. Perhaps that is exactly what is necessary for healthy spiritual community: a group of people who are emotionally, authentically whole who are able to fully commit themselves to love, care for, and support others.
In other words, just attempting to come out from under "hierarchical, unbiblical church structures" does not get to the root of the issue. It’s growing out of our unhealthy dependencies so that, as whole people, we can contribute generously to our spiritual communities and world from a place of authentic fullness in Christ while developing vibrant "one another" relationships.
Comments
10 responses to “Hierarchies Create Dependency”
It’s interesting that one of the identifying marks of the Protestant Reformation was to translate Scripture into the common languages of the people. The intent was so that all Christians could have access to the Word in order to see what it means to be Christian. As you noted, “Perhaps the problem is not just hierarchy within churches but our own inability to find our authentic identity in Christ and thus a dependency on any form of external authority that will tell us how to live and act in order to be “approved by” or “okay” with others.” It seems that on some level human nature makes this mindset the natural one. However, when we look at the teachings of Jesus, He seems to turn that natural inclination upside down. He told His disciples that the greatest among them would be the servants of all. In far too many instances, church ‘leaders’ have forgotten this, and have instead been drawn to the power of their position to lord it over others. True servant leadership would build others up so that they would not need someone else to tell them how to live from week to week.
Hierarchy is ANGELIC. There are angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, principalities and powers. There are “orders” within the heavenly host. Michael commanded a third of the host, and Lucifer commanded a third of the host. The Lord even described angels as “legions” which was a Roman term for soldiers in “units of 1000”. Presumably, each “unit” had a commander.
The Roman army was patterned after angelic orders. The U.S. army is patterned after angelic order. The administration system in my local school district is patterened after angelic order. (Plus they have this “board” that meets to advise the Superintendent; the board is more natural to mankind, like a tribal council, but we moderns have synthesized it into a niche within the hierarchy system.) The entire world is ruled and run by hierarchy!
And the kings of the earth STILL lord it over their subjects!
“But not so with you.” (!!!!!)
Excellent post Roger! I am really intrigued with this idea of our ‘masquerading’ in order to fit in and because of our fears, pride and all that rot. I believe God really wants to show us the way – the way to freedom. That stuff is really bondage – our worries, our “stuff” (we can use very good things to keep from getting real, they become props). I want to live life being totally free of it. That’s how Jesus must’ve lived. He can show us. He’s the only one, the only way I know to freedom. What if there was a Body of Christ that was totally free of earthly masquerades, that really worked and functioned in such freedom? (If you all know about it, let me in on it – I’ll be good.)
Hello to all my friends in California!
Roger, great post! I think this is the heart of the issue with how we structure church. There are some who think that no structure is best, and some who think the more structure the better. I beleive this is more a reflection of our own personality than how biblical church/community is to be set up.
You stated:
“The answer, therefore, is not simply to reject forms of church that are hierarchical. Nor is the answer to reject community all together.”
I agree. The Body cannot function properly without a skeletal system…it would just be a blob, unable to move and function properly….however, when you look at a body, the first thing you see is for sure not the skeleton (structure). I beleive that the church as the Body of Christ should be the same. There needs to be some structure in order to support the work, however it does not need to be the dominant force and the first thing we think of or see when we look upon the Church. I am praying to the Father with the hope that this “healthy interdependance” you speak of will become the norm for Church instead of the exception.
Thanks again for making me think about what’s really important. May Father bless you!
“It’s growing out of our unhealthy dependencies so that, as whole people, we can contribute generously to our spiritual communities and world from a place of authentic fullness in Christ while developing vibrant “one another” relationships.”
Yes, yes, yes! I wholeheartedly agree. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
If I may say, you guys are out of my league on this issue, but in a recent class I led on fellowship in which we studied the “one another” verses, I concluded that the model of Christian relationships — marriage, family, fellowship — is the Trinity.
It’s the striving to become one through mutual reciprocity. The circle dance — perichoresis. A constantly moving mass that simultaneously spirals downward in terms of love and service and spirals upward in terms of praise, thansksgiving and blessing. I empty myself to you, God fills me up. You are filled and give to God and to others. It’s like a vaccum system, I guess.
A husband lays down his life for his wife; the wife submits herself to the husband. Same in the church where each of us is to die for one another.
The leaders or the more mature are those who are able to “die better” or empty themesleves more effectively for the equipping and training of others so that they may die more effectively. They also are those who are more easily filled, or more receptive to being filled, by God.
Please critique.
Let me first say, God I need this…
Secondly, what do you do with unhealthy, dysfunctional people, who are usually most in need of good community, and also the worst at contributing to good community? ( re: me)
If I may respond to both Dan and jmc… First, what you say Dan is right, but how does it look and where can we find it? Might it not be all in the eye of the beholder? I mean how much of what we read in scripture becomes concept rather than practice? And second jmc’s question fits perfectly, adds the perfect dimension to our earthly mission and dilemma: namely that no matter how well defined, there is no perfect church that we will come to know, except that one which is spiritual, one-another centered and totally servant oriented in terms of ministry based in Christ Jesus. And that is about being, it’s not really visible with the eyes but with the heart. To me, this means we will always have “parts of the body that are less flattering”, even ugly. But that’s the blessing because it’s our purpose to lift up the meek, the weak, the struggling dysfunctional ones – and simply love them, nurture them and let them show us the horrors they’ve endured. Inside every dysfunctional person is an awesome testimony taking shape. It’s our purpose to help them along, to struggle with them bit by bit, in patience and peace, turmoil and trouble. I know because I are one. The one thing I need most from “church” is a friend who loves me as I am. I also seek to be part of a group that doesn’t care “what we look like” but cares what we are like, which goes back to Roger’s post.
John, That is great stuff… this is really what I’m looking for. I’ve been a Christian about ten years, and have always felt like I didnt ( dont) fit in anywhere because my back ground is so shameful, shocking. Ive done lay ministry courses, yearned to go to bible college, tried ( been encouraged) to be a leader, etc.. in the hope of finding some lasting change, or “proving” my committment to God, when all the time what I really wanted was a small group of people that I could share with. find jesus love with. I’ve looked to a few Pastors, leaders etc.. for mentoring and fathering.. But the best discipleship I think I ever got was in the first few months, by an ex drug addict who had been in prison for armed robbery. He taught me to play the guitar, talked with me, and swindled me out of fifty bucks once to go drinking.. he was homeless at the time, smoked like a chimney living in the back room of a Church. but he had some stories, and his dysfunction and circumstances kept him humble. He didnt teach me much ( anything) about pastoral care, administration, preaching, leading, but i remember him very fondly, as some one who took the time to “be” with this scared kid takeing a few tentative steps towards God.
I also really like what you say about scripture becoming concept rather than practice. I was introduced to all the “concepts” of Christianity through “new Christian programs” and being given booklets for the “new believer” and I think they reenforced this conceptual notion of Christianity. Then, when youre deposited in a Church, all you hear is sermons and bible studies, where everyone nods and shakes their heads at the apropriate time, and you look around, and wonder, am I the only one who has all these questions? Am I the only one struggling?
I asume you are in North America? Can you put me in contact with anything you know of in Melbourne Australia..
Josh, thanks for your comments. The Lord has used you to remind me about one of my first mentors who was an ex drug addict who became a great friend of mine. He’s in Southern California now and I’m in Virginia. I think it’s time to look him up. As for Australia, sorry, never been “down unda”. Just find someone you connect with Josh, and start with that relationship. God provides when we’re willing to accept/recieve, yes He will.