I have often wondered if accepting hierarchy is a human – even natural – inevitability. Think about some of the terms we use regularly – pecking order, dog eat dog world, know your place, stay in your lane, the buck stops here. Most Christian denominations have some kind of hierarchy, and those that do not (like the United Church of Christ) are often considered to be aberrations. Having moved from a tightly controlled denomination to the UCC, I understand the uneasiness that comes with this different kind of bottom up, organic structure. As much as we like to complain about the “higher ups”, there is a kind of comfort that comes with knowing that they exist. At least, to take the blame.
When I was working on my dissertation at Alvernia University, I argued that hierarchy, at least for humans, is man-made. And I mean that “man” part. While Jesus treated everyone as equals, the disciples/apostles reverted back to making sure everyone knew their place in the scheme of things. Jesus sent women out as evangelists, and women led congregations that met in their homes, but the fragile men who took over after the Ascension began to grow fearful of the strong women Jesus had nurtured. Not long after the church began to dysfunction, women were told to keep silent in church. They were told to ask their husbands if they had any questions. Men defined themselves as being created in God’s image, while women were told they were in the image of men. I always ask these questions when doing Bible study on these kinds of topics – who benefits from these rules and regulations? Who is diminished and who is exalted? If it isn’t God or the community, it is biased and not of the Spirit.
In the early church, the elders taught the church about Jesus. The deacons cleaned up after dinner. Everyone did their part and gave to the common good. Nobody was set above anyone else; even in ordination, we are set apart, not above, for a specific ministry. Paul tried to fight hierarchy for a while; his chapters about the gifts of the Spirit and the body of Christ in 1 Corinthians brilliantly laid out the egalitarian nature of the church in the bestowing and use of God-given spiritual gifts. Eventually, though, he succumbed to the need to get some control over the herd of cats he was trying to lead. Total order leads to a dictatorship, but total chaos leads to destruction. Neither extreme is healthy or God-blessed. Balance is needed to make things work well. Jesus wanted a circle; the apostles created a pyramid.
Good leadership is always about guiding the organization while nurturing other good leaders. It is about encouraging people to be their very best, using their skills to nurture themselves and the common good. Dictatorships are always toxic, no matter how gifted the dictator is. It might take more time to make decisions when everyone’s voice is heard and respected, but the outcome is so much healthier if we do it that way. The church isn’t like other organizations; the church’s bottom line is about the good we do, not the edifices we build or the numbers we accrue. In the church, it is never about me; it’s about God and it is about us. Every voice – every person – matters. If hierarchy diminishes anyone, it is toxic and needs to go.
Prayer – Holy God, thank You for making us who we are, and for giving us brains and hearts that work together for the common good. Keep us from selfishness and turn our hearts outward. Amen.
Today’s art “The Assumption of the Virgin” by Franceso Botticini.