{"id":4918,"date":"2018-01-15T08:00:17","date_gmt":"2018-01-15T13:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/?p=4918"},"modified":"2026-04-21T15:31:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T19:31:14","slug":"authority-in-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainchurchleaders.com\/practicum\/authority-in-communication.htm","title":{"rendered":"Authority in Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"

As leaders, fulfilling Jesus’ disciplemaking mission, we can sometimes be unsure of ourselves. — What if they won’t listen? What if they won’t do what I say?<\/p>\n

As a result we might go the route of saying what we think they want to hear, compromising and placating. Such communication lacks integrity and depth but we label it adapting to where people are with the hope of one day getting beyond. Too often, however, we never get beyond and people sense a lack of authority in the church.<\/p>\n

Or, we might overcompensate for our insecurities by setting ourselves up as the authority. People need to know a leader is in control, we reason, and then they will follow. We might begin with an authoritative flair to our communication but before long, we begin to act like an authoritarian. An hierarchical flow of communication ensues wherein its mostly about us telling people what to think and do with us welcoming little or no input from them.<\/p>\n

Authority in Communication Seen in the Great Commission<\/h2>\n

When our communication is governed by the Great Commission<\/a> we get beyond these issues because we know the Source of Authority, and it isn’t us!<\/p>\n

\"GreatThe Church does have authority, found in the Person who is its Head, Jesus Christ. Jesus, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn. 14:6), clearly stated, “No one comes to the Father except through me.” Who are we, as church leaders, to manipulate or coerce people, as though we are the authority?<\/p>\n

The Great Commission begins with verse 18 — “Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.'” and continues in verse 19, based on that foundation, “Therefore go and make disciples …” (Matt. 28:18-20). The authority upon which leaders fulfill His mission isn’t their own but rather the Lord’s. Any authority in communication with others comes from Him, not because “we” are the leader.<\/p>\n

Also Read: The Great Commission Settles Authority Issues<\/a><\/p>\n

In addition to the content on this page, the Steering the Church Toward Discipleship Leadership Guide<\/strong><\/a> includes some thoughts about how, though we’re not to be an authoritarian, there is a sense in which we can be authoritative.<\/p>\n

For More on These Topics, Go To:<\/p>\n