The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthian Church about how personalities can divide the church.
I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? (1 Cor. 1:10-13)
The Problem with Churches Elevating Ministry Leaders Over One Another
1) It keeps us from reaching our potential.
The Corinthian church had the potential for being a spiritually impacting church. They were “enriched in every way” (1 Cor. 1:5) and did “not lack any spiritual gift” (1 Cor. 1:7). Their focus on individual personalities, however, divided them and hence was going to keep them from reaching that potential. Paul didn’t waste any time confronting this issue.
2) It pulls us away from Christ.
Scripture does not state what drew people to the different leaders. Perhaps it was their charisma. Maybe it was their skill-set or spiritual gifting. Or, it could have been prior association. The fact that this detail is missing could suggest that no matter how appealing or dynamic a person might be, following of leaders only leads to division in the church. The pull to get so entwined with another person becomes dysfunctional.
Our allegiance belongs to the Lord Jesus, not a human leader. He is the Head of the Body, not Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or any church leader of today. Only Jesus is sufficient for our eternal salvation. Our identity, as in baptism, is with Christ, not the church we attend or a leader we enjoy.
3) It leads to problems with one another.
Notice how following certain personalities led to quarrels among the Corinthian church. Undoubtedly comparisons of one leader against the other led to pride and competition. Disunity followed. Those who had all they needed to build up one another, brought each other down.
The Plea to Gain Perspective So the Church Doesn’t Divide Over Personalities
Paul called on this divided body of believers to stop and think about what they were doing. They all needed to head in the same direction — toward Christ — and that would begin in the way they perceived one another and the priority they placed on Christ.
Other people, regardless of who they are or what position they hold, are fellow servants saved by grace just as any other person in the church. Though some may hold more responsibility than others, no one is superior to another in the Lord. When we allow ourselves to be pulled toward another person, we usually are pulled away from the Lord. At minimum we are distracted. Christ must always remain preeminent.
Paul appealed to the Corinthians as brothers and sisters in the Lord to gain that perspective in order to reach their potential in Christ. He had a right and a responsibility to speak into their lives. He came alongside of them (parakaleo) as a fellow member of the Body of Christ.
Be sure to note that the exhortation came “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This wasn’t merely Paul’s opinion or to make Paul feel good about them. Rather, it was for the sake of the Lord Jesus Christ. This was all about Him and what their division would do to the cause of Christ.
Look at your church: Are there divisions in your Body because of misplaced allegiances? If so, what can you do to help people gain the needed perspective?
Look below in the related posts for other causes of divisions in a church.