Leaders are not all made equal...

"But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They'll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They've put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can't tell right from wrong. (2 Peter 2:1, 2 MSG)

I believe that one of the greatest oversights of the Church today is thorough biblical teaching on leadership. Like so many aspects of our culture we swing between extremes; those who reject and oppose authority, and those who blindly follow anyone who calls themselves Pastor. Not all leaders who say they follow Jesus are trustworthy. Not all leaders who build up Churches are people of God. Peter is warning his Church that there will always be those in positions of authority who are lyers, and bring destruction with them. They draw the attention away from Jesus and onto themselves. They are divisive and get caught up in debates and conflicts over things that don't matter. And while they will ultimately bring about their own destruction, the cost to the Church may be devestating. I believe that Christians need to keep their eyes and their bibles open. They need to understand what qualities a good leader needs, and to seek our a Church community that has a clear leadership heirarchy. Ultimately, a good leader must first be able to submit to authority and be accountable, before they can be trusted with the responsibility of leadership. For how can anyone teach how to submit and obey, if they themselves are unable to?