Talk after Graham Tomlin and Stephen Backhouse's seminar at LC13

1. The Kingdom
of God…and
Leadership
Rethinking leadership and power
in the Church and the world.
Simon Nash
Business Connect
26 June 2013

2. The Kingdom of God … a recap?
Kingdom of GodKingdom of darkness

3. “No King but God …”

4. The New Testament word for Leader
Romans 13:3 – "Rulers hold no terror for those who do right."
ἄρχον - ἄρχοντες - ἀρχαῖς “archon”
Some Examples…
Matthew 9:18 – 23, Luke 8:41; “a synagogue leader…”
Matthew 20:25 – "the rulers of the Gentiles lord it…“
Luke 12:11 – “when you are brought before the rulers and authorities…”
Luke 14:1 – “the leaders of the Pharisees…”
Luke 24:20 – "The Chief Priests and the rulers handed him over to be sentenced to
death and they crucified him."
Luke 23:13 – "Pilate called together the Chief Priests and the rulers"
Luke 18:18 – "a ruler asked Jesus; „Good Teacher…"
John 7:48 – "None of the rulers or Pharisees have believed in him."
The book of Acts is strewn with rulers, officials and authorities of various locations
and levels…
John 7:26 – "Have the authorities really concluded he is the Messiah?"
John 3:1 – Nicodemus is referred to as a leader of the Jews.

5. The New Testament word for Leader
John 14:30 – "I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming.
He has no hold over me."
ἄρχον - ἄρχοντες - ἀρχαῖς “archon”
More Examples…
1 Cor 2:6,8 – We speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom
of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing… None of the
rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the
Lord of glory.
Eph 2:2 – "You followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of
the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.“
Matthew 9:34 – "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."
Matthew 12:24, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15 – "It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of
demons, that this fellow drives out demons."
John 12:31 – "Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this
world will be driven out."
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against
the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of
evil in the heavenly realms.

6. What does “archon” mean
Leader, ruler, official
“First”, primacy,
In charge, in control
Gets things done, makes things happen
Has authority, gives orders,
Is obeyed.

7. The big question…
Since all the NT writers show they knew
this word, and it‟s the obvious word for
leader…
Why do they never use it to refer to
leaders in the Church?

8. The Kenotic Hymn
5 Let Christ himself be your example as to what your attitude
should be, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not
count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied
ἴσα θεῷ ἁρπαγμὸν
himself, by taking the form of a servant…

9. ἴσα θεῷ - isa theou
Philippi – Roman colony
Honours system – worthy of honour
“…of divine honours.”
“… equal to (the) god(s)”
Divinely ordained order
– the right of the few to rule over

10. ἁρπαγμὸν - harpagmon
How to grasp power – Roman Politics 101
- force, murder, assassination, mob, armies
- “good works”, games, bread, temples, largesse
Statues, Coins, Festivals, Public Art
Propaganda of honour.

11. Paul‟s argument
Copy Jesus
Empty yourself of ambition
Take the place of a servant
Even if it costs you everything
Do not grasp at power and authority
Reject the propaganda of honours

12. Some NT words used for leaders
in the church…
ἐπίζκοπος - one who watches over, tends attentively
Πρεζβύηεροι - elder, mature, experienced
Προθήηας - prophet
ἀποζηόλοσς - messenger, envoy
δοῦλος - slave, servant
μαθηηὴς - student, learner, disciple
Διακόνοσς - servant, waiter, “errand runner”
Διδαζκάλοσς - teacher
Ποιμένας - shepherd
Εὐαγγελιστάς - good news bearer, herald,

13. Some post Biblical words used
for leaders in churches
Vicar – “agent / stand-in, representative, substitute, deputy”
Rector – “Ruler, one who guides, directs” “archon”
Dean – “One in charge of ten”
Abbot – “Father”
Priest –”performer of ritual sacrifices / spiritual mediator”
Cardinal – “Permanent assignment”
Canon – “ruling / regulating
Monsignor – “My Lord”
Pastor – “shepherd” , but “Executive Senior Pastor”?
Minister – “servant”, but Prime Minister…?
Reverend – “Honourable / one who must be respected”

14. Christian Leaders In Business
A discussion…
Lead as the world leads – “Archons” – getting things done, giving
orders, taking charge, being first, celebrated and honoured?
Lead as Christ led, refusing honour, taking the place of a servant,
emptying self of ambition, being last?

15. Dirk Willems (c 1540 – 1569)