In January of 2022, as the Lord freed me from my service as director at a rescue and recovery mission in Jacksonville beach, to that of the lead Elder at a Church my wife and I had been in relationship with since 2012. As I accepted the role of leadership at Highway to Heaven Church, I did so not just by my inclination but the wise council of a couple of apostolic elders the Lord has placed in my life.
Before I accepted it, having received the council from others, I continued to seek the Lord for several more days. On the seventh day I listened as Holy Spirit delivered the Lord’s mandate on this transition. “You must follow My lead and return this congregation back to the original intent for my Ecclesia, and allow Me to teach them through you to reset the house to where it stands on the foundational teaching of the Gospel of my Kingdom.
Until it is established on that foundation, you will see no increase, but when that foundation is established, I will begin sending those for whom I ordained to co-labor with this Kingdom family.
But heed this warning, do not teach them to follower you, or to listen to your voice alone. You must allow Holy Spirit to train them to follow the One true God who dwells in you, even as He dwells in them”.
Ever since I received that commissioning, I have not strayed from the mandate He gave me.
If we are honest we can discern that the vast majority of the Church today struggles in the area of leadership in many ways. Take for example, how often have you heard someone quoting their pastor more than they do the scriptures? Or have you ever attended a “Gathering” where they claim there is no leadership needed in the New Testament Church?
Now a true student of the Word would be lead by the Spirit to interpret Paul’s writings in the New Testament that emphasize submitting to Christ and His teachings, but do not emphasis to submit completely to Paul himself or to any other human authority, even within the church.
While Paul serves as an apostle and a teacher of the gospel, the ultimate authority in the Christian faith and practice is Christ.
Elaboration:
Submission to Christ:
Paul’s writings, particularly in Ephesians, encourage Christians to “submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”. This implies that Christians should submit to one another, reflecting the love and humility of Christ, rather than prioritizing their own opinions or desires.
Paul as an Apostle and Teacher:
Paul is recognized as a key apostle and teacher of the gospel, and his writings offer valuable guidance for Christians. However, his authority comes from his position as an apostle and teacher, not from a claim to ultimate authority over the Christian faith.
Christ as the Head of the Church:
Paul often uses the metaphor of the Church as the body of Christ, with Christ as the Head. This implies that Christ’s teachings and leadership should be the guiding principles for the Church, not the teachings of any particular apostle or human leader.
Avoiding Human Authority:
Paul’s writings also caution against elevating any individual or group to a position of excessive authority, even within the church. Instead, Christians are encouraged to seek guidance from Holy Spirit and rthe the scriptures as well as to cultivate humility and respect for one another, reflecting the humility and service of Christ.
Submission to One Another:
Paul’s writings in Ephesians and other letters also emphasize the importance of mutual submission among Christians. This means that Christians should willingly defer to one another’s needs, opinions, and gifts, rather than seeking to dominate or control others.
Focus on Christ’s Love and Sacrifice:
Paul’s writings consistently highlight the love and sacrifice of Christ as the foundation of the Christian faith. Christians are called to love and serve one another, mirroring Christ’s own love and self-sacrifice.
Now I am in no way implying that there are NO leaders in the Church. In fact, I have witnessed the restoration of true Ecclesia leadership over the past 2 decades as Holy Spirit has been restoring the Apostolic leadership in the Church.
What does this mean?
With a renewed revelation of the Christ centered and led leadership, it’s also very important that we understand that while this re-alignment has been taking place, satan has been busy infiltrating the Church with his own false apostles, those who are power hungry and seek not just the adoration of the people, but almost demand their loyalty to them and them alone.
Such are they who twist such scriptures such that speak of the power of Christ, to that of their own power. Case in point Revelation 12:11, which in the KJV reads:
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death”.
Their twist in this passage of scripture is they prefer to re-direct the attention of the people by replacing the focus as not so much on the Blood of the Lamb but on them and their leadership by the boasting of what “they’ve” done, thus everyone needs to die to their own needs so that they can attend to the needs of the Church leadership.
I have found that out of all the translations out there I am most keen to the passion translation, especially with regard to this passage of scripture as I believe it turns it into something that one could actually hear Jesus telling John:
“They conquered him completely through the blood of the Lamb and the powerful word of his testimony. They triumphed because they did not love and cling to their own lives, even when faced with death”.
Wow, this brings it home with no room for misinterpretation as to being about Christ, and the powerful deeds that He has done in and through our lives. Even when the enemy comes to try and boost your ego and stir up your pride, the response of the child of God immediately deflates the enemy’s attempt as they respond with. “No you have it all wrong, it was not me that did this, but He who dwells in me, the Lord God”.
Now, if you find yourself under such a leader, pause, and seek the Lord, ask Him if this individual is of His Kingdom or that of the enemy. Holy Spirit will guide you. I have found that true leaders in the Body of Christ are just like the Lord, desiring that those they are discipling to grow and mature into doing even greater deeds than they themselves. They guide, correct and direct from the resevour of Christ’s love in them, never to boost their own image but to encourage the very image of the Lord in others to shine brightly.
~Dr. Russell Welch
Elder / Apostolic Teacher: Highway to Heaven Church and Founder and Shepherd of Remnant Warrior Ministries / Remnant Warrior School of Spiritual Warfare.
Radical Disciples - A Remnant Revolution 