So far in this series of articles we have looked at how Terry Virgo and his generation of apostles transitioned Newfrontiers from the first to the second generation of movement leadership.

“Our concepts of leadership can be easily shaped by the leadership culture of the world, and we have to work hard to shape our leadership culture around the principles we find in the Bible.”

We are going to unpack what this looks like and what are the biblical principles underpinning this, but before we do this, we have to address one very important question about church movements, and that is the question of authority - simply, WHO is in charge around here?

A biblical model

Commenting on the opening verses of Philippians, Alec Motyer, an outstanding Anglican scholar and commentator, says,

The impression we receive of the New Testament is of local churches loosely federated under apostolic authority, with each church managing its own affairs under the leadership of overseers and deacons...

He continues describing the simple life-giving structures of the New Testament churches, saying:

When we add Paul the apostle and Timothy the apostle’s delegate, we have a remarkably full summary of the constitution of the New Testament church; the body of believers, the local church officers, the over-arching apostolic work of Paul, and the occasional ministry of a person like Timothy coming into the local situation from outside.

It appears that ultimate governmental authority for the affairs of a local church was shared by a team of local elders and delegated through deacons and other ministries into the life of the church. However, in the New Testament, apostles and their delegates also appear to interact with these locally autonomous churches with real and invited authority.

The features of leadership

“Leaders lead with the heart of a servant, seeking to lift others up and see everyone flourish, not seeking to dominate others.”

These structures reflect very important principles of leadership culture.

Our concepts of leadership can be easily shaped by the leadership culture of the world, and we have to work hard to shape our leadership culture around the principles we find in the Bible.

Jesus says to his disciples: 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve...’

Peter was obviously listening, because he says similarly: ‘I appeal to the elders among you: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them... not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.’

Leadership needs to be genuine and grace-given, with godly anointing, and received and recognised through relationship and trust. Leaders lead with the heart of a servant, seeking to lift others up and see everyone flourish, not seeking to dominate others.

So… who IS in charge?

A biblical, culture of leadership and authority is paramount for healthy church life. It does not matter what structure of leadership or authority is created for the church; without authority being shared among those anointed by God and outworked with the heart of a servant, and without authority being exercised in a context of trusting relationship, any church or any movement of churches will not be able to function in the way Jesus intends.

In a series of articles, Maurice Nightingale will detail the change of shape at Relational Mission, and how the journey we are on has lessons for movements across the wider Church. Find them all here.