When Paul speaks he creates a framework. This framework is always two-fold: theological and moral. If we do not see this when we read him we miss, I believe, the eschatological thread that is woven into each of his letters. Eschatology is not simply about how things will end. This is a narrow understanding of the construct. Instead, eschatology is the theological study of how the end of times has already broken into time and space by the Holy Spirit and how this shifts, as well as changes, how Spirit filled Christians think and behave. Eschatology is about morality.
When Paul speaks to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20 we see how he views not just spiritual leadership but eschatological leadership. Whether we want it or not, any of us who assume a role of pastoral leadership over the people of God are to be, as the Puritan's used to suggest, "little Christ's" before the people of God. For such person's there are no other redeeming options. Frail and beset by the tendencies of sin as the rest, pastoral leaders must have it as their singular passion to be able to say and model the words and life of the Apostle Paul: "Imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1st Corinthians 11:1). This verse indicates the moral framing of Paul that I noted above. This is explicit.
Here he is calling us to evaluate his life. He does not call us merely to look at him. At the heart of what he is saying is this: I am worthy of being followed because when you look at my life it will be as if you are seeing Christ's life (Galatians 2:20 - an example of moral framing). He is not calling himself Christ in a deified way, but he is drawing the line in the sand regarding what is the expectation of all, and more-so of leaders. He uses his life as the fleshly model of what a believer should not only look like but what we should have as an inner resolve. We should not only look like Christ but we, especially as leaders, should so seek to so live that we can willingly invite others to view our lives, being confident that they will see Christ in us.
While Paul is speaking this word to all of the Corinthians he is essentially framing what every leader should be and desire, morally speaking, at a bare minimum. The title of this series suggests that I will speak of the negative actions/affections we should be on the look out for in pastor - leaders. I will do that but I wanted to begin by framing the remainder of segments in this series with a view of how Paul sees the heart of true, genuinely called, pastoral leadership. What he is calling us to is neither cozy, comfortable or easy. If comfort and ease is the life a pastoral leader wants and pursues, this only indicates that he are not worthy of imitation and therefore, should not lead.
To be worthy of imitation, this is how pastoral leaders lead:
They will consistently give themselves, even in the face of suffering and death, for the fame of Christ, not considering their lives more valuable than His cross.
They will consistently examine their lives, hearts to ensure that there is consistency in both, their actions and affections. They will long to feel internally for Christ what they project just externally for Him.
They will consistently see their entire life as a stewardship for the good of the people of God and that any action and or decision that goes against that stewardship is worthy of removal.
They will consistently be free of financial impropriety and from making, as Peter says, merchandise of the people of God.
They will consistently be examples of honest and hard work for the growth and health of the church. Their own growth and discipline in holiness will be evident to all.
They will consistently demonstrate a life of a servant to and for the people of God and not to be served themselves. They will model towel leadership (modeling Jesus in John 13 where he took the form of the servant by taking the towel and washed the disciples feet) not title leadership.
Note that I used the word consistently. I do so because leaders are human and will never be perfect. However, what is true is that the consistency of actions from a leader indicates the nature of the leader's heart. If the leader's actions are consistently sinful this will tell us something of the life (heart) of the leader and vice versa. Jesus puts it this way:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous
wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs
from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit"
(Matthew 7:15–17, ESV).
May the Lord continue to produce healthy leaders who bear good fruit and, thereby become worthy to be imitated. We can spot who they are (nature of the tree - healthy or diseased) by the consistency of what they do (good or bad fruit).
Question: Are you worthy of imitation?