Kriston's Blog

LEADERSHIP BOUNDARIES
The issue of self appointed leaders is a problem in the church: The ASSUMPTION gifts I call them. But equally prevalent in existing church structures is the existence of truly gifted and divinely authorized vessels, whose boundaries of authority have been stretched beyond their limits, becoming inappropriate and stifling to the work of the Spirit.

It is important to recognize "boundaries" of leadership. The apostles were definitely leaders, but within certain boundaries. Within congregations and regions you have leaders, BUT with boundaries that at this time in history are hard to define or discern.
There are definitely individuals with anointings to lead (spearhead / go before). Caleb is a great example of a leader. But, HOW is that authority expressed? Even the expression of true divine authority can be done in assumption, presumption, and tradition, and not based upon the Spirit's desire.

What does real Christian leadership look like? It establishes, restores, and builds, and then gets OUT OF THE WAY so that those following behind can pass. Many spiritual leaders get to the end of their anointing and mandate for a group of people and their "followers" can go no further because they are in the way.

Paul himself had specific things He did, plant, move on, restrengthen, plant, move on, restrengthen.

There were others gifts needed to come in and impart their portion within the boundaries of their authority. Scripture says Apostles are first, prophets next, then teachers, etc. This is not necessarily a hierarchal order, this is the plurality of gifts order needed to establish foundations and equip a church.

A healthy church has apostles that plant and water. Then prophets come in, then teachers, etc. This is an order of building, not a leadership hierarchy.

I Cor. 12: 27 Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular. And God did set certain ones in the church: first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that faculties, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.


One teacher or leader the sole source of teaching for years is a sign that a church has missed it, and lost its biblical order of building. There is no precedence in the NT for a leadership structure as practiced by nearly every Spirit filled church today.

If a school put your child in the same 2nd grade math class with the same teacher year after year, your child by age 18 would not be ready to graduate and go into the real world.
Yet, "Leaders" teach people the same class year after year and wonder why people do not mature into effective ministers they were created to be. It’s because they have received all a “leader” has, and its time to let them move on to the next class. It does not mean they cannot relate or impart wisdom and encouragement as Paul did. they must let go and watch the people grow.

YOU SHOULD ALL BE TEACHING BY NOW = GODS DESIRE AND INTENT
The reason the congregations did not ALL become teachers as Paul rebuked them for not becoming was because somewhere along the line there was a breakdown in the building process. Someone built with wood, hay or stubble, and Paul had to go back and tear down the false doctrines and restrengthen true foundations he had laid.

There is a non-hierarchal pattern of leadership. In its simplist form, someone goes before in a realm of spiritual life and teaches others to enter that realm as well. But that does not make them a perpetual leader of that person.

I can tell you there was a time my wife and I received much insight and teaching from a man that taught about dreams, visions, and hearing God. That foundational teaching of hearing God has been a basis for our spiritual lives. He is truly a leader, has led us into these truths, and still has the anointing to lead. But his heart is to see others walk in this revelation and not depend upon him. I am not subject to him, and he is not subject to me either. But, we relate with friendship and mutually submitting and receiving one another. He could have started a "church" with him teaching every Sunday for the next 20 years, and everyone looking to him, but what a travesty to have that happen. He is not my leader. no man is my leader, nor should they be yours.

"Leaders" or elders can act as if they have ALL the fullness individually that people need, when in reality "leaders" (ascension gifted individuals) have specific roles with a specific task to accomplish. Elders are simply the mature; they oversee, counsel, protect, and teach. Some are ascension gifts as well, but they are not the leader, Jesus is.... Too many take on the role that the traditional church has made for men, leader and head of the church. This is not their place, though most take it without a second thought.
Paul said: "For you should now be teaching others..."

We ought to see 20 or 30 people mature elders able to freely teach, train and preach in a congregation of 100 people at a high level of discernment and revelation. This I believe is the intention of the Lord, that mature sons and daughters be raised. But, we have lowered the bar and made men dependant upon a leader like Moses, hearing God FOR the people.

Maturity is an individual embracing and manifesting consistently both the divine nature and authority of God. It is awesome to see the Spirit and Life released by mature and immature vessels that are given place to exercise the gifts and fruit of the spirit within the body. What a loss to not have this NORMAL happening. All of this done with the protection and encouragement of elders (mature).

It's time for some leaders who know better to say like Paul, “You should be teaching by now!” There should be a team of mature, Spirit led people, not dependant on the wisdom of one man. In many cases we don't have mature, discerning spirit led people raised up because many "leaders" (like Diotrephes in III John) love being the center of attention. The Spirit inspired pattern of building is ignored because of men's pride and grip on their OWN ministries (mini-try’s).

MOSES IS DEAD
As we walk further into this age of the kingdom and receive the land of promise, one thing Joshua (Yeshua=Jesus) announces is MOSES IS DEAD! No more does a man hear God for you.
The leader is now the Lord Jesus Christ (Joshua). Like the ascension gifts, the Judges were for the sake of restoring relationship to God so that the people might learn to DIRECTLY hear relate to Him. Once that relationship is restored the need for judges/Ascension gifts is ended. This is scriptural according to testimony of Ephesians.

Like Gideon, the wise prophet or judge will respond to those crying out for an man as king: "I will not be king over you; the Lord is your king!" This King mentality IS the issue of leadership in the church today, and this IS what people constantly cry out for. There is no other type of leadership structure endorsed in scripture other then, "God is King" So why do we cling to the mold set 1700 years ago by the Hierarchal church? The wilderness wanderings of the church age are over. MOSES IS DEAD!!!!

CHURCH IS FAMILY
If we see the church properly as the family that it is, we start to recognize that in a family, the FATHER is the head, and the children are not subject to each other perpetually, they are only given authority to care for their immature and needy brothers and sisters until they gain strength and maturity to care for themselves. In turn, those who become mature then care for others in need until they are complete as well.

If the leaders you know are not first and foremost friends you have mutual submission with, then it's time to find friends who know how to truly lead in the boundaries of their authority.

Kriston Couchey