It’s Time to Rethink How We Gather—and How We Lead
We can no longer ignore the disconnect between the gatherings we’ve built and the Church described in Scripture. The New Testament never called us to attend services—it called us to be the Body. If we’re serious about honoring Jesus as Head, then it’s time to take bold steps toward realignment. This isn’t about tweaking formats; it’s about returning to function, identity, and purpose, inside of Jesus.
1. End the performance model—and activate the Body
Church is not a stage. It’s not a weekly show. It’s a living, breathing family where each member is healthy and functions for the same purpose, which is given by the head, who is Jesus. If your gatherings revolve around one (or a few) voices, gifts, or perspectives, then you’re not equipping the saints—you’re suppressing them. God calls all of us to walk in our gifts, to walk in love and obedience, and to share with one another so that we can edify, encourage and grow together into one body. The Body must be activated, not entertained.
2. Reclaim biblical leadership
Leadership in the Body of Christ is not about control, credentials, or charisma. It’s about servanthood, maturity, and spiritual authority that comes from walking with Jesus. Elders and shepherds are to guide, protect, and equip—not dominate or brand themselves. If you’re in leadership, ask yourself: Am I building a platform or laying down my life? Real leaders are followers of Christ and are called to raise up the whole Body into maturity, not dependency.
3. Decentralize power—distribute responsibility
The early Church never placed all authority or responsibility on a single “pastor.” Instead, leadership was plural and collaborative. It’s time to return to that model. The gifts are to equip each other! When the Spirit gives gifts to all, it is spiritual malpractice to silence most of them.
4. Return to the table, not the theater
Break bread together. Share real life. Open your homes, not just your church buildings. The early Church didn’t grow through programs—it grew through whole, healthy people building up the body to become whole and healthy. Make gatherings personal again. Prioritize relationships over routines. A healthy Church is not built on attendance, influence or growth—it’s built on a yearning to be one together in God, seeking the Kingdom together, loving one another and building each other up into maturity in the Lord, each person a valued participant bearing fruit for the Kingdom.
5. Call out spiritual gifts—and commission them
Stop waiting for permission from institutions. If God has placed a teaching gift in someone, call it out and give them room to teach. If someone has a shepherd’s heart, let them gently nurture those who need guidance. If someone carries prophetic clarity, make space for their voice. Don’t look for titles—rather, look for fruit and function. Leaders: your role is not to do the ministry for the people, but to equip the body to be mature and bearing fruit.
6. Reject division—pursue unity with courage
The Body of Christ has been fragmented by denominational walls, doctrinal gatekeeping, and egos disguised as ministries. That must end. Jesus prayed for oneness—not sameness. Let go of the need to be right all the time. Build bridges. Restore relationships. Honor diversity without compromising truth. This is not optional—it’s foundational (John 17; Ephesians 4:3–6). Our fear is strangling the church. Jesus is not afraid of bad doctrine.
7. Let love—not fear or tradition—lead the way
We don’t need to protect old wineskins. We need to pour new wine into vessels that can stretch, breathe, and grow. Yes, change is uncomfortable—but complacency is dangerous. If we love the Church—truly love her—we’ll lead her back to the One who is her Head. That means reforming structures, rethinking roles, and returning to love as our highest aim.
This isn’t about rebellion—it’s about repentance. It’s about hearing the Spirit say, “Come back to what I intended,” and having the humility and courage to respond. The Church is not dying—but the systems that have buried her vibrancy are being exposed. What comes next is up to us.