The Diabolical Destruction of The Church as a Spiritual “Family” Part 3: Recovering Mother and Father Leadership in The Local Church.

In Star Wars Episode V “the Empire Strikes Back” Luke Skywalker was unpleasantly surprised when Darth Vader told him “I am your father”. Interestingly, too many Christians seem to have a similar reaction when finding out that “spiritual parents” are an essential part of a healthy local church.

For example, I once rented space from a local evangelical-charismatic church.  On one occasion, as I was entering the building, I encountered a church member who did not know me. I politely identified myself as “Father Jon” and explained what I was doing at the church building. This identifier triggered the church member and they replied with “OK, Faaaaaaaather Jon”.  It was obvious, by their tone, that the descriptive word “father” was deemed as pretentious. No doubt, some folks don’t prefer the “Father” designation. However, something more was going on there. Although, this "was" a church that would have recognized itself as a spiritual family of brothers and sisters, the idea of spiritual parents was alien to this believer; as it is for many Christians.

What are the negative consequences when parents do not function as “parents” for their children? What are the negative consequences when pastoral leaders lose their parental identity and no longer function as spiritual fathers and mothers? Perhaps they see their main role as administrator, counselor, friend and peer, inspiring influencer, life coach, motivational speaker, professorial teacher, prophet, etc...? No matter how well intentioned, they have failed to spiritually parent their spiritual children.

Hey, no worries if we don’t want to call our pastoral leaders “father” or “mother”.  However, we do have “worries” when we no longer understand and relate to pastoral leaders as spiritual fathers and mothers. In fact, “Papa Paul” had to remind his dysfunctional Corinthian children "for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.” (1 Cor. 4:14–15). 

The loss of understanding and function of spiritual parenting in the local Church is a diabolical attack by the enemy to undermine authority and ministry in local churches. Two of the most impactful and fruitful evangelical church leaders of the Jesus Movement were Chuck Smith of Calvary Chapel and John Wimber of the Vineyard Church. Both were pastoral father-leaders and sired many other spiritual sons and daughters who, in turn, became pastoral leaders. In fact, Wimber was often called “Papa John”. 

Also, the loss of understanding and function of spiritual parenting by the Church is a diabolical attack by the enemy to undermine the outreach ministry of local churches.  42% of Gen Z battles with depression and feelings of hopelessness, which is almost twice as high as Americans who are over 25. We have an ORPHANED generation who desperately need spiritual mothers and fathers to parent them to eternal life and wholeness in Christ.

May the Lord restore spiritual parenting in The Church as we prepare for the birth of a new generational harvest. Amen.