When the Liberator Becomes Oppressed

Introduction

As I pondered on the title “No Mo’ Massa Slave Dysfunction” my mind couldn’t help but understand the dynamics of what happens when the liberator becomes oppressed? There’s no way that one can teach, preach, or exclaim that we are free in Christ but his ability to lead is shackled by a poor theological outlook of leadership. We have to begin to be honest about the fact that Post Traumatic Leadership Syndrome actually exist. There are a number of men and women who sit in the pews every Sunday who are more than capable to lead, instruct and pastor who do not because the dysfunctional leadership model they experienced has traumatized them.

One must give creedence to the nature in which this ideology stems from. We have fought tooth and nail at the notion that worldly culture cannot infiltrate the church but it’s time that we become honest with ourselves and be accountable to the fact that we’ve allowed the culture of capitalism, oppression, privilege and hierarchy to enter our churches to a point where Jesus becomes a side-dish to the buffet of power that we are standing in line to recieve.

There was a time in which our mission of accountability and submission pushed the black church to the center of spiritual development and community development. Nonetheless, how effective do we believe we can become if the one that is called to share freedom with the people becomes the most oppressed person in the sanctuary. I find it ironic that when our people were the most oppressed the messages of hope and redemption rang the loudest. There was no room for oppression in our places of worship becuause the church became a place of civil respite at the expense of ministers appealing to the slave and free black populations, preaching a plain-styled message of hope and redemption while also catering to manners of worship that African men and women carried with them to America.

Nonetheless here we are, reminded of the power and passion of classic sermons preached by men that were oppressed right out of pulpits when they post facebook statuses of encouragement.

Here we are, with families traumatized at the expense of trusting the Lord to set up shop in a new city, subject families to a microscope of scrunity, yet to struggle from a place of frustration, yet hear prayers from leaders who attempt to encourage people that faith has to be a priority. The way we avoid our leadership models becoming cesspools of oppression that damage the longevity of leadership is by building our leadership model on a shared vision of accountability and submission. An oppressive culture stems from an oppressive heart.

One scholar suggest that “in addition to the excellence of it’s doctrine and apologetic, Hebrews reflects the impassioned concern of a pastor’s heart. Those who have experienced God’s ultimate work of grace in Christ are urged to hold fast to God’s final word of revelation in his Son”.

Here we are in the midst of an epsitle that has no introductory saluation, the write isn’t identified, and essentially one thing we truly now about the people is the fact that they were oppressed and needed a word of Exhortation.

Hebrews 10:32–36“But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:”

Understand that hurt people do not have to hurt people, hurt people who heal can help people. As we close this epsitle the writer challenges us to be faithful to the task that lie in front us. A shared responsbility model begins with hospitality, the prioritization of family and marraige, contentment and our ability to submit and be obedient to Jesus. Meawhile understanding the nature of our responsibility begins with our ability to mirror the attitude and spiritual position of Jesus, which is service.

Hebrews 13:7 “Remember those who rule over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct.”

Accountability and submission at etched so deeply in the fabric of leadership, that our ability or inability to lead and lead well begins and ends with our ability to be accountable and submit to the model of Jesus. It’s pertinent that we understand that in effort to run this race, one must understand that no one runs this race successfully alone. So much so that it is obligatory that we love our brothers and sisters, be there even for the strangers, the incarcerated, refrain from being controlled by lust and/or led astray by the seduction of power.

The Irresponsibility of a Power Hungry Leader

I want to point your attention to this word in verse 7, and that word is remember. Remember those who lead. It works both ways, essentially it’s imperative to know what liberating leadership looks like, nonetheless it’s important that we know what oppressive leadership models looks like as well.

I must say that had I not experienced the oppressive model I would not appreciate this shared model of effort amongst the expositor and the elders. It’s similar to the effort of zone blocking in football. It’s no longer about a person it’s about a gap and the vision of a running back in hopes that a whole opens up so that we can score together. The goal of zone blocking is the ability to get to the second level in hopes to make big plays, whatever trash is in the gap I move it out the way.

Paul expresses this responsiblity of leadership from a political or military lens. Do not find this word “rule” to be negative in context. This model is a shared responsiblity which requires leaders to push people to lean on the initiator of our faith. As it pertains to time, remember that these leaders understand that what they were pushing people to do could have led to death being the outcome. Nonetheless when it came to the spiritual liberation of the people of God there was no job to small or big when it came to the pastoral care of the flock.

I must quote my predecessor in this moment, my first Sunday at Genessee Avenue he said, “sometimes you have to take out the trash”. It reminds me that there is no job beneath me. Nonetheless as I focus on that word “remember”, church leaders come and go, but Jesus is the same and this share model of liberation only happens when I fix my eyes on Him.

This is why the qaulities that Paul suggest to Timothy are inward qaulities that strengthen the love and resilience of the church.

1 Timothy 3:2–7“A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Titus 1:6–8“if a man is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of dissipation or insubordination. For a bishop must be blameless, as a steward of God, not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but hospitable, a lover of what is good, sober-minded, just, holy, self-controlled,”

How does one expect to find, develop, and minister to men of this caliber without relationship building. I stand firm on the fact that many of our preacher - elder

A Model of Freedom Begins with an Example of Leadership

When I understand the nature of collaborative leadership that Jesus expects I understand that when humility is attached to my ability to lead and collaboratively work with others, accountability and submission are not difficult to achieve. If Jesus has the ability to suffer outside the camp for me (v.12-15), I should be able to understand that the backbone of leadership begins and ends with my ability to work well with others.

What better place to understand the power of rememberance that the book of Hebrews which provides us with a rememberance of faith, to the leaders in the room I want you to remember the leaders and legacy that has been mapped out before you. Leaders remember the pain that you once felt at the hands of oppresive leadership and know that because you expereinced it, turn it into an opportunity to build a model of collaborative and synergy.

Understand that there is nothing wrong with obedience when those who pastor you are faithful to care for your soul and teach the word of God from a place of humility. I have no problem receiving instruction when I know it’s not the dictator who is driving me like a hired hand but a brother, or a leader that looks after me as a father does a son, a shepherd that is willing to go before me, nonetheless protect me!

It’s similar to protecting the quaterback, one might suggest that Left Tackle is not the sexiest position in football but the majority of quaterbacks being right handed the skill of the Left Tackle solely impacts the quaterbacks success. His name might not be called, his jersey might not be sold out at your local mall but trust me the team understands, and knows his importance. I’m certain with many of leaders in this room today, those leaders that do not always get their name called, maybe the brotherhood has no idea who they are, but if they are protecting you and you all can work hand in hand together! Remember them. Leadership is and has never been about oppression, leadership is about development and getting the most out of the people who depend on you!

Remember the earlier leaders, consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. We must remember that we are entrusted to lead but we are also entrusted to build healthy relationships that the church can model in their life. Effective and functional leadership aligns itself with the description of Jesus, the sameness of Jesus Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

If we are going to build functional leadership teams it’s imperative that we prioritize accountability, humility and consistentcy.