Competition among Churches

There are at least two signs of competition among churches, or should I say among pastors. The first is the act of wondering how big or how many are attending another church and the second is the inner disturbance of wanting to win (in the game of numbers). The single-most important sign of non-competition between churches or pastors is when a church or pastor rejoices at the success of another church. The same applies within local churches.

What are the signs of competition within churches? among churches?

Enter Joseph Hellerman, Embracing Shared Ministry. At Philippi the believers had been Roman Philippians; and that meant they were weaned on the honor-and-status way of life. That culture showed vigorous competition for honors with others — especially between families. Families honored their own but they did not honor others — or at least they competed for those same honors.

What happens, Hellerman asks us, when former competitors become family members? That is, what happens when the church is made up of folks who were in the honors race with others in society?

The honors race is off limits for the Pauline churches. They are now family, not competitors. Notice these Bible verses from Philippians:

Phil. 1:12    Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel.

Phil. 3:1    Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you.

Phil. 3:13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

Phil. 3:17    Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

They are brothers and sisters, a fellowship, a family. Add to this Philippians 2:3:

Phil. 2:3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves…

Now the big one for Hellerman: leadership was shared. There were no single-pastor authorities. Hellerman thinks it was plural leadership, not single leadership.

1:1: To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons.

Acts 14:23: Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church and, with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust.

This is found in all of Paul’s churches; leaders are referred to the plural and there is no indication of solo “senior” pastors. Why? Shared ministry.

And it would have been very Roman to have a single man in charge. That such names do not appear reveals something alternative is at work.