Let’s trade Sunday morning Christ-seminars for Christ-encounters. Why should we meet for a weekly Christ-seminar when we can meet to encounter Christ through one another? This is described in 1 Corinthians 14:26.

When a person in a pulpit replaces the power of Christ’s presence, Christianity becomes a historical presentation rather than a present revolution. If Jesus Christ can run the Universe all by Himself, why don’t we let Him run church services all by Himself?

Perhaps the one-man pastor system where the pastor functions as the CEO (and has replaced Christ as the head) creates abuse. That system requires passivity and silence from the members. They are required to listen in church but aren’t allowed to express themselves in the service. This carries over into their relationship with the pastor. They are made to feel like they can’t offer feedback to the pastor. If someone gets the courage to give feedback, the pastor often sees that feedback as a threat and turns to defensiveness and sometimes even aggression against the member.

Individual pastors are caught up in this abusive system. They get their livelihood from it. The system makes it difficult for pastors to be humble, submissive, tender, and open toward the members. Pastors are made to feel like they can’t be who they are in front of the members.

Perhaps we need to get back to the New Testament and set worship up according to 1 Corinthians 14:26. This would put an end to abuse. Here’s how we can go beyond the traditional church system.