Humility Is The Basis of Church Polity - 1 Peter 4-5

1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

In church life there are positional leaders.  It is an odd structure compared to the world.  Church governance is called polity and it is quite different than the world.  Depending on how the elders of a church are selected, they become the leadership of the church.   Those who attend the church are not required by a contract to follow them or be subject to them.  Those who attend are not compensated by the church to do a task and therefore be subject to the church leadership.   That way of thinking is the world’s business model.   This entire structure of church governance is based upon obedience to God’s Word.   People come into churches and leave churches.  But people voluntarily put themselves into the position of being subject to the leadership of the church.   A key to make sure that happens is found in the second line of the above text.  Yes, the younger is to be subject to the elder (this is not just an age description but a leadership position ... see 2 Timothy 3).   But note that the text also states that all of you are to clothe ourselves in humility.   It is this humility that breaths air into the church governance system.    When leadership begins to act out in pride and arrogance (because they are the leader), that is when a church governance model breaks down.   Church leaders are to be humble and submit to others in the church, just as others in the church are to be humble and submit to the church leadership.    What will happen if this truth is violated?   Note the last line of the above text:  God opposes the proud.   A church will buckle under its own self when pride and arrogance sneaks into its pews.   Leadership and follower-ship can’t allow their pride to derail the governance model God has created.   Like Jesus’ humility on the cross brought us our salvation, so, too, should the church governance be based upon humility.   When we cease to be humble we begin to be prideful.  When we begin to be prideful we begin to know and experience to God’s opposition to our mission and purpose.