The Crisis of Modern Church Leadership!

The Root of Church Fractures

The apostle Paul warned the Corinthian church about divisions caused by carnal, fleshly thinking: "For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" (1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV). When leadership operates from the soul—from human ambition, personal desire, and fleshly wisdom—rather than from the Spirit's leading, the inevitable result is fracture and division.

Paul further instructed, "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 KJV). The contrast couldn't be clearer: Spirit-led leadership produces unity, godliness, and the fruit of the Spirit, whilst soul-led leadership produces the works of the flesh.

Wrong Positions, Wrong Leadership

God has established specific callings and giftings within the body of Christ: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV). When individuals operate outside their God-given calling—whether through self-promotion, human appointment, or fleshly ambition—the entire body suffers.

James gives us a sobering warning: "My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation" (James 3:1 KJV). Leadership in the church is not a position to be sought after for prominence or personal glory; it's a calling to be stewarded with fear and trembling.

The Danger of Soulish Ambition

Those who wish to have a prominent role in their church are often acting via their soul and not walking by the Spirit—if, in fact, they have that Spirit within them at all. Jesus addressed this very issue when His disciples argued about greatness: "But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant" (Matthew 20:25-27 KJV).

The heart that seeks prominence reveals its source. Paul wrote, "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit" (Romans 8:5 KJV). Godly leadership is marked by servanthood, humility, and a Spirit-led desire to build up the body—not by positioning oneself for recognition.

The Crisis of Unregenerate Church Members

Perhaps the most dangerous situation facing the modern church is this: too many members today are not born again and therefore are walking according to the flesh. Jesus made the requirement crystal clear: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3 KJV).

When unregenerate people fill church pews—and worse, fill leadership positions—they bring with them the works of the flesh: "Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like" (Galatians 5:19-21 KJV). These are not the marks of Christ's church!

Paul warned Timothy about this very danger: "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" (2 Timothy 3:5 KJV). A church filled with religious people who have never experienced regeneration is not a church at all—it's a religious social club operating in spiritual darkness.

The Call to Spirit-Led Leadership

The solution is clear: the church must return to Spirit-led leadership and Spirit-filled membership. "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV).

Church leaders must be able to say with Paul, "For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more abundantly to you-ward" (2 Corinthians 1:12 KJV).

And every member must examine themselves: "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).

A Warning & A Call

The fractured state of many modern churches is a direct result of soulish, fleshly leadership by unregenerate or carnal people who are operating outside their calling. This is not just unfortunate—it's dangerous. It brings reproach upon the name of Christ and leads precious souls astray.

The call is urgent: "Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you" (2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). Churches must return to biblical standards for leadership, insist on genuine conversion for membership, and submit completely to the leading of the Holy Spirit rather than the ambitions of the flesh.

May God grant His church the courage to walk in the Spirit, to honour His callings and giftings, and to purge from leadership those who serve their own souls rather than the Saviour…

Key Takeaways:

• Soul-led leadership causes division: When leaders operate from human ambition rather than the Spirit's leading, fracture and strife are inevitable (1 Corinthians 3:3 KJV).
• Operate within your God-given calling: Leadership positions should be filled according to divine appointment, not self-promotion or human ambition (Ephesians 4:11-12 KJV).
• Beware of soulish ambition: Those seeking prominence in church are often walking in the flesh, not the Spirit. True leadership is marked by servanthood and humility (Matthew 20:25-27 KJV).
• The danger of unregenerate members: Many churches are filled with people who have never been born again, bringing works of the flesh instead of the fruit of the Spirit (John 3:3, Galatians 5:19-21 KJV).
• Return to Spirit-led leadership: Churches must insist on genuine conversion, biblical standards for leadership, and complete submission to the Holy Spirit rather than fleshly wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV).
• Examine yourself: Every believer must honestly assess whether they are truly in the faith and walking by the Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV).
• Separation is necessary: Churches must have the courage to remove those serving their own souls rather than the Saviour from leadership positions (2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).