Narcissists often appoint themselves as the leaders over those who have not been assigned leadership over others. There is a tendency to desire to be special and above everyone else. You can usually tell who they are because if they cannot lead you they will negate everything you do to appear superior.
Those who are authentic leaders appointed by others to be leaders are usually given this position because they have been judged by others to be talented in leadership.
Self-appointed leaders usually attempt to control others. Leaders who have been recognized as having leadership qualities by others are those who work well with others, viewing those under them as colleagues to listen to with talents and gifts that the leader does not have but are helpful in the group effort.
True leaders never see themselves as above others but rather as helpers to guide others. A good leader appoints others who have demonstrated skills that the leader does not have. A good leader never sees themselves as knowing everything, they seek out people they know can add wisdom and knowledge that the leader does not have. Leaders choose good counselors.
Anyone who believes they can lead without the counsel of others is not leader material. A good leader is able to discern the strengths of others to place on his team.
Those who see themselves as superior and special will never make good leaders. When a leader is doing his job well those who work for him will happily and willingly follow him, but not under compulsion or fear. A good leader fosters creativity by taking advice from those under him.
A good leader is able to motivate those under them to do their best within their expertise.
Philippians 2:3-4
“Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others.”
Psalm 78:72
"And David shepherded them with the integrity of heart; with skillful hands, he led them."
When a leader walks with the integrity of the heart he will seek to make the whole team look good and do well, not just promote himself.
Proverbs 29:2
"When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan."
Self-righteous leaders who promote only themselves cause frustration and anger among those he leads. We see this a lot in church gatherings when the "pastors" refuse to listen to the flock as though they are the ultimate authority over the people. God never assigned them to be the authority over the people, only that they lead them by example.
1 Peter 5:2-3 "…2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; 3not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. "
There is much arrogance in the pulpits today, men who think their degree bought them special privilege over the people.
Matthew 20:25-26 "25 But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. 26 It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, 27 and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”"
There ought to be a passion for the truth, and boldness in speaking the truth. However, if there is a sense that a pastor is to bark orders, often not Biblical, and everyone in the congregation is not allowed to question or correct him but must jump to his orders, this man has presumed himself above the Holy Spirit Who dwells in every believer. Do not follow such a man, he does not have this authority to dictate our every move or monitor our financial giving, this man is a hireling.
IF there is a presumption that the congregation is beneath the leader this leader needs to be removed or ignored. If the congregation endorses this form of leadership then it is time to leave the church.
I heard of a case many years ago in which the pastor made a rule that anyone who had a home Bible study outside the church gathering would be disciplined. In his decree, only the pastor could lead a Bible study and it must be in the church building. This is utterly silly, there is no scriptural instruction to support this at all.
Education alone does not qualify a person to be a leader. A Spirit-filled man with no education is called by God to lead and others within his sphere of influence will see His godliness and desire him to lead. He does not appoint himself and his college degree does not qualify him.
I have known many godly men who were great speakers, writers, and leaders who did not have college degrees, they were led by the Holy Spirit.
One last thing to think about, those who depend on their degree by a human institution are not depending on the Holy Spirit, they are depending on the accreditation of a seminary or Bible school. This is the reason we have so many narcissists in the pulpits of this country today. They "pride" themselves as being more educated than someone without that degree. What has happened is that the degreed preacher often depends on what he was taught by men far more than what God's Word teaches.
A seminary degree does not qualify someone to be a leader in the church. It is the Holy Spirit Who calls men based on their submission to Him.
Acts 20:28
"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood."
It is the Holy Spirit Who calls men to lead!
I have become weary of the "one-man pastor system" that promotes false leadership based on degrees. It has led to much heresy and abuse of congregations.
Perhaps it is time to return to house churches in which the men participate every week taking turns in leadership, no one man is dictating his own agenda. These men who are leading as a group will seek God in prayer for everything, ultimately it is the Holy Spirit leading them.
Just saying!!!
