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Q4. (3 John 9-10) What character flaws does Diotrephes exhibit? Can a person be a strong pastoral leader without developing these traits? If you have tendencies in yourself towards pride and a controlling spirit, how can you fight against them?
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Q4. The Self-Centered Leader
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#2
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Posted 18 November 2009 - 05:15 PM
Q4. (3 John 9-10) What character flaws does Diotrephes exhibit?
Diotrephes was an ego maniac who liked to lead, put himself first, did not acknowledge John's authority as an Elder Apostle in the church, refused to listen and to take suggestions. He "boiled over"....rage?, cast malicious accusations about others, refused to welcome missionaries, and forbade those who did, even to excommunicating them from the church. He had a controlling, manipulative spirit, which is the spirit of witchcraft, rather than the Holy Spirit operating in him.
Can a person be a strong pastoral leader without developing these traits?
Yes, of course, if he/she seeks to remain humble and pliable in God's Hand... The only way a person CAN be a strong pastoral leader is to NOT develop these traits. This question gave me chills! As I was getting ready to answer this question, a friend called to ask me to pray, as their pastor is exhibiting every trait listed about Diotrephes, and as an Elder in that church, he and the others are having to deal with the mess created by this self centered, egotistical pastor who said "I cannot change....I will not change", and shows no remorse over slandering others, and forcing people out of the church who disagree with him...one was fired for asking if they could pray as a church before making huge decisions about a building project.
If you have tendencies in yourself towards pride and a controlling spirit, how can you fight against them?
Through confession, and repentance and prayer...submission to the Holy Spirit's control and surrender to Christ. (1 John 1:9)
Diotrephes was an ego maniac who liked to lead, put himself first, did not acknowledge John's authority as an Elder Apostle in the church, refused to listen and to take suggestions. He "boiled over"....rage?, cast malicious accusations about others, refused to welcome missionaries, and forbade those who did, even to excommunicating them from the church. He had a controlling, manipulative spirit, which is the spirit of witchcraft, rather than the Holy Spirit operating in him.
Can a person be a strong pastoral leader without developing these traits?
Yes, of course, if he/she seeks to remain humble and pliable in God's Hand... The only way a person CAN be a strong pastoral leader is to NOT develop these traits. This question gave me chills! As I was getting ready to answer this question, a friend called to ask me to pray, as their pastor is exhibiting every trait listed about Diotrephes, and as an Elder in that church, he and the others are having to deal with the mess created by this self centered, egotistical pastor who said "I cannot change....I will not change", and shows no remorse over slandering others, and forcing people out of the church who disagree with him...one was fired for asking if they could pray as a church before making huge decisions about a building project.
If you have tendencies in yourself towards pride and a controlling spirit, how can you fight against them?
Through confession, and repentance and prayer...submission to the Holy Spirit's control and surrender to Christ. (1 John 1:9)
#3
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Posted 18 November 2009 - 09:44 PM
What a dreadful character, and I think I have met a few versions of this man in the past! He was puffed up with self-importance and arrogant toward those in authority over him. He was probably very pious and "religious", but obviously without the love and humility that validate genuine Christianity. He was a malicious gossip, spreading slanderous lies about the apostles. He was a control-freak, filled with intolerant pride that most likely dismissed anyone else's opinion/interpretation/ideas. And he presented a cold shoulder to the godly teachers who passed through his area, not only refusing to offer hospitality but stopping other Christians from doing so. I imagine he had himself on such a pedestal that he expected people to do for him what he was unwilling to do for others. His selfish, volatile behavior actually serves to reveal the immature spiritual level of an insecure man who felt threatened. This is the kind of person who gives Christians a bad name.
I imagine that the tendency to develop these traits is quite common. The roots of any of them are inherent in all of us. And after all, pastors are still human. Positions of authority can easily foster such negative attributes. But the challenge is to abide in Christ as an overcomer who deals with them and reigns them in under His authority. Someone who is being controlled by the flesh rather than being in control of the flesh might come on strong, but can't possibly be a powerfully effective pastoral leader. In my experiences of leadership, any plan for successfully fighting these characteristics down requires maintaining humility before the LORD, staying in the Word and speaking it to yourself, consistently seeking the Spirit's leading and conviction, and making yourself accountable to someone trustworthy who has your permission to tell you when you're getting off track. It demands the frequent return to Scripture's description of genuine Christianity, which is all about love, unity, peace, servanthood, and humility.
I imagine that the tendency to develop these traits is quite common. The roots of any of them are inherent in all of us. And after all, pastors are still human. Positions of authority can easily foster such negative attributes. But the challenge is to abide in Christ as an overcomer who deals with them and reigns them in under His authority. Someone who is being controlled by the flesh rather than being in control of the flesh might come on strong, but can't possibly be a powerfully effective pastoral leader. In my experiences of leadership, any plan for successfully fighting these characteristics down requires maintaining humility before the LORD, staying in the Word and speaking it to yourself, consistently seeking the Spirit's leading and conviction, and making yourself accountable to someone trustworthy who has your permission to tell you when you're getting off track. It demands the frequent return to Scripture's description of genuine Christianity, which is all about love, unity, peace, servanthood, and humility.
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