The Superstar Model: Two Church Models That Were Never Biblical

Sermon outline

Neither the superstar pastor at the top of a pyramid nor a congregation that hires and fires its pastor is the biblical model; the New Testament church is built on Christ, the whole Word and the apostles and prophets, with every believer serving and every local church reaching the nations.

1. The superstar model

   Church history produced two models that are not biblical, and the first is still widespread: a pyramid with the senior pastor, president or executive at the top and the people below. It can create a power struggle and a dictatorial system in which one untouchable person holds the church in bondage or leads it into wrong practices. It also isolates the leader in pressure and loneliness to the point of burnout, and an unprotected leader on a pedestal is exposed to temptation and may carry on in ministry despite a fall.

   Illustration: He shares the course book's diagram of the pyramid on screen.

   “This is not the model that we find in the New Testament.”

2. The congregational model

   The second is the pyramid turned upside down, where the people govern the pastor like a democracy, voting ministers in and out. The pastor, employed and paid by the members, must do all the work and must please them or lose his job, so the Word gets compromised to keep his position. This is not the New Testament model either.

   “Both of these church models are very, very, very unhealthy.”

3. The apostolic and prophetic model: a theocracy

   The biblical model lies flat: local churches relate to an apostolic team, and through it reach the nations, in loving submission to God-given leadership and all pointing to the great commission. Christ gave apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers to equip every believer for ministry and build the body to maturity, so we are no longer children tossed about by every lie. It is not a democracy but a theocracy, because the apostolic and prophetic are revelation ministries through which God reveals His plan.

   “It is God's plan that the church should be led by him. And this we do not call a democracy. We call this a theocracy.”

   • Ephesians 4:11-16

4. Citizens who come to serve

   Salvation is a free gift, and God planned long ago that we should spend our new lives helping others. We are no longer strangers but members of God's household, built on the apostles and prophets with Christ the cornerstone. As we mature we stop coming to church only for the blessing and the favour and come with a servant's heart, finding which part of the body we are. Young believers start zealous, then the enemy and the old nature push back and they decide ministry is not for them. That is where the superstar model comes from: not a pastor wanting control, but nobody else willing to do the work.

   Illustration: Fingers, toes, ears, nose, shoulders and elbows: every part of the body has a part to play.

   “Being involved in church is not an option. It's a necessity for the believer.”

   • Ephesians 2:8-10
   • Ephesians 2:19-22

5. Three foundations of every local church

   The foundation of every local church and every believer in it has three parts: Jesus Christ as the cornerstone; the Word of God in all its fullness, not only the parts we like; and the foundation of apostles and prophets. Together they enable the church to fulfil its calling to the ends of the earth.

   “When it doesn't suit our agenda, we still accept it and we eat everything of what the word has.”

   • Ephesians 2:20

6. The position of the local church

   Every local church keeps its autonomy but relates strongly to the apostolic and prophetic team, inviting them in for doctrine, correction, revelation, equipping, appointing leading ministries and discipline that cannot be settled locally. The New Testament uses overseer, shepherd and elder for the same leaders of Ephesus. Titles matter less than the heart: an 'elder' who sits like a statue is not functioning as one, while a believer saved a year who is involved in everything can be used far more. And any apostle or prophet who moves away from the Word is no longer apostolic or prophetic.

   “A man that is willing to do whatever it is in the house of the Lord is a man that God can use.”

   • Acts 20:17-28
   • 2 Peter 1:19

7. Every local church is global

   Each church should have a world vision, involved both locally and trans-locally through apostolic teams that plant churches and pass responsibility to local leaders, while the local leadership honours and uses the team. Paul's team reached all of Asia, yet later all in Asia turned from him. God places different gifts in a team as master builders, because a building team of only bricklayers achieves nothing. If you cannot speak about Jesus to the man outside the church gate, at work or in your home cell, your mind is not global.

   “No local church is just local. Every local church is global.”

   • Ephesians 4:11
   • Acts 19:8-10
   • 2 Timothy 1:15
   • 1 Corinthians 3:10

8. Leaders: get clarity before you share confusion

   Leaders are responsible to teach and to show by their lives what it is to serve in the local church. When you are unclear about something, find out for yourself before you speak, because sharing discontent and confusion with those you are meant to feed sows discord and draws them away from the Lord. Leaders must present a united front, a biblical front, and a place of learning and unity. Bible school is preparing people to be sent out, so do the book outside the meetings.

   “When we don't have clarity on something, it is important for us to get clarity before we share our confusion.”

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