A Call to Evolving Church Leadership: Embracing Community, Service, and Inclusion
As an LGBTQ+ affirming minister, I would like to offer some reflections with a heart full of hope and anticipation for what the church can become. We stand at a crossroads in our faith communities, really on the precipice of revival and getting back to the revival started on Azuza Street.
On one hand, our world is crying out for a return of the love of God which also includes an inclusive vision of his love. On the other, the vestiges of a rigid, patriarchal model of church leadership continue to alienate many—especially those on the margins. In this tension lies an extraordinary opportunity for renewal. This renewal calls us back to the roots of Christian community and the radical servant-leadership example set by Jesus and the early church.
The Limitations of a Patriarchal Model
For centuries, the church has operated under hierarchical leadership structures that often place a single individual or a select few in positions of power. In many contexts, these hierarchies have been controlled by men, reflecting a patriarchal approach that can unintentionally (and sometimes very intentionally) silence women, different races, various socio-economic groups, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups. As a result, countless people have felt unwelcome, unheard, and unseen within the body of Christ.
The impact of this patriarchal model extends beyond just leadership titles—it creates a culture where authority is guarded rather than shared, status is protected rather than surrendered, and rules are upheld at the expense of real relationships. Over time, this can breed disillusionment. People seek authenticity and community but find instead a church that seems inaccessible and detached from the radical love and welcome Jesus proclaimed. Indeed, many find themselves asking, “Where is the Jesus who ate with sinners (Luke 5:29–32), who welcomed strangers, who affirmed the worth of women, foreigners, and outcasts (John 4:1–42)?”
The Early Church: A Model of Community and Shared Leadership
The first followers of Jesus, as described in the Book of Acts, offer a compelling image of collaborative, inclusive ministry. Though the early church was far from perfect, it continually aimed to live out the commandment to love one another (John 13:34–35) in practical ways:
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers…. All who believed were together and had all things in common.”
(Acts 2:42–44, NRSV)
This passage highlights an ethos of shared responsibility and mutual care. People pooled resources and cared for the vulnerable in their midst. Leadership, while it included designated roles (such as elders and deacons), was not about lording power over others. Rather, it was about serving, teaching, and guiding with humility.
Paul’s letters repeatedly emphasize that all believers have unique gifts (1 Corinthians 12) and that the barriers of ethnicity, gender, and status are broken down in Christ:
“There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”
(Galatians 3:28, NRSV)
Though Paul did not explicitly discuss LGBTQ+ identity in today’s terms, the spirit of his teaching urges the church to honor the diversity of its members and to affirm that in Christ, there is a place for everyone.
Jesus’ Example of Servant Leadership
Jesus provides the ultimate model for servant leadership, most powerfully symbolized when He washed the disciples’ feet:
“If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
(John 13:14, NRSV)
This act encapsulates a kingdom principle: leadership in the way of Jesus means humility, service, and putting the needs of others before our own desire for control or prestige. This example calls us to rethink how we interact with our fellow believers and how we structure church leadership. Instead of climbing a ladder of hierarchy, we step downward, seeking to lift others and carry their burdens.
This same spirit calls us to affirm and uplift those who have historically been silenced or excluded, including our LGBTQ+ siblings. Jesus never turned away people based on their cultural background, social standing, or personal history; rather, He welcomed them, engaged their stories, and challenged everyone to grow in love. Embracing that same posture toward LGBTQ+ people is not an optional add-on for the church—it is a faithful following of Jesus’ example of radical welcome.
An Invitation to Evolve
- Establishing a Five-Fold Ministry
Drawing from Ephesians 4:11–13, the concept of a Five-Fold Ministry—involving apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—can offer a blueprint for a healthier, more holistic form of church leadership. Rather than vesting power in one dominant figure, the Five-Fold Ministry encourages the church to operate with collaborative, complementary gifts. This model ensures the Body of Christ is balanced and accountable, with each leader bringing a unique perspective. When these five roles are functioning together, the community is equipped, built up in unity, and continually growing toward spiritual maturity. By honoring these distinct callings—regardless of gender, sexual orientation, or background—we reflect a tapestry of leadership that is as diverse as the congregation itself. - Community Engagement Over Hierarchical Power
The goal of the church must not be to expand status or influence but to serve and empower. Churches can take a cue from the early believers by actively meeting the real needs of people—offering spiritual, emotional, and material support within and beyond the walls of the church building. - Learning from the Margins
Historically, the center of power in many churches has not included, the poor, marginalized, women or LGBTQ+ voices. As we evolve, we must proactively create spaces for these voices. Those traditionally on the margins often have unique insights into compassion, endurance, and community-building and therefore, I would contend, have been the source of the great revivals of the past. Empowering them to lead reflects the biblical truth that the Body of Christ needs all its parts (1 Corinthians 12:12–27). - Radical Hospitality
True community cannot thrive without genuine welcome. This means embracing all people—regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, or background. The church must mirror Christ’s table fellowship: inclusive, liberating, and transformative. - Ongoing Reflection and Repentance
Change is not a one-time event but a continuous journey of growth and repentance (metanoia—turning back to God’s way). A humble church is always open to learning how it can better embody the love of God and serve in the spirit of Jesus.
Conclusion: Moving Toward Hope and Renewal
We stand in a moment pregnant with possibility. The patriarchal models that have dominated many church contexts are showing their limitations in real time—attendance declines and widespread disillusionment are clear indicators that something needs to change. Rather than bemoaning this shift, we can welcome it as a chance to realign the church with its foundational calling.
By returning to the example of Jesus, who placed love and service at the very center of His ministry, and by learning from the early church’s practice of shared resources and diverse leadership, we can step into a hopeful, more inclusive future. This is not an abandonment of tradition but a reclamation of the deep and radical roots of our faith, which celebrate unity and diversity in Christ.
My prayer, dear friends, is that we open our hearts to God’s Spirit, who continually nudges us toward greater inclusion, empathy, and communal life. May our churches become places of healing, welcome, and vibrant discipleship for all, reflecting the boundless love that Jesus offered to those He walked among—and still offers to each of us today. Grace and peace to you, always.
