As One with Authority: Reflective Leadership in Ministry

by Jackson W. Carroll

This essential work focuses on reclaiming a healthy understanding of authority in the church by reviewing the meaning of clergy authority and examining how this authority has been used and abused. Jackson Carroll asks how a sense of clergy authority might be recovered--one that honors shared ministry among clergy and lay leaders while it appreciates the distinctive tasks of each clergyperson.

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[James Harmeling · Rating 2 out of 5]

Carroll covers a good subject matter that is pertinent for the church. Even though this book is dated, the issue remains vital for church health. I appreciate Carroll's emphasis on being reflective in leading and utilizing wisdom for decisions and usage of authority, but he repeatedly frustrated me with derogatory comments and unfair characterizations of conservative positions. He quick reference and even dismissal of "inerrantist," "objective," or "literalist" positions on Scripture tipped his hand to where he stood on that pivotal point. To me as an inerrantist, that is a Christian leader's authority. It is God's authority. Otherwise, one becomes needlessly weighed down with subjective overriding hermeneutical presuppositions (e.g. feminism, civil rights, etc.) that constantly change. Wisdom in applying biblical authority changes in new situations, but the strength of authority remains all the same because God's Word transcends culture even though it is written within it. In this Carroll shows his hand that he is a moderate with what I would call a "low" view of Scripture. He puts it first in priority, but he immediately disallows its sufficiency or primacy by quickly adding church history or tradition along with current cultural issues that basically reshape the Bible and dramatically reduce its authority. In end, I feel he undermines his whole subject matter and leaves the local church pastor with less authority in their leadership work.