James, Ordained or Reputed?

I have to say I’ve struggled a lot lately with the leadership structure of the traditional church and the teachings thereof. I’ve always been told that Acts 15 proves that James was the leader of the church in Jerusalem, yet I’m having a difficult time coming to that conclusion.

If James were the leader – why didn’t Paul just address him as such in Galatians 2:9? Wouldn’t Paul have just said: I am not at all inferior to James the Pastor of Jerusalem? Doesn’t this scripture in Galatians really say that leadership in the church is earned by your reputation – that is how much people trust you – and not by ordination (being appointed to an office by some person that is holier than you)?

Or how about the argument that Jesus appeared to James, and so that made James the Pastor of Jerusalem? (1 Corinthians 15:1-7) This says Jesus appeared to Peter, and then to the twelve, and then to five-hundred plus others – and then finally to James. So if you’re the 515^th person to walk thru that door – then you become the pastor? I mean what’s up with that argument? I can’t find any scripture anywhere that references a pastor. Sure there are pastors (plural) in Ephesians 4 – but no one in scripture is called a pastor. What’s up with that?

Or how about the argument that certain men came FROM JAMES? (Galatians 2:12). This is seemingly refuted in Acts 15:24 – where James himself said – they went out from us – but we didn’t put that message in their mouths.

And then the tough questions – why would Jesus tell the apostles the church was not to be like a Roman authority structure – and then put James over a structure where he is making authoritative decisions and lording over others? (Matt 20:25; Mark 10:42; Luke 22:25).

And the argument that God has a primary vision carrier (the pastor) in each local congregation. I couldn’t find one scripture anywhere where James had any vision. Peter had vision – Paul had vision – John had plenty of vision – but James had nothing. If James was the leader – why did God give all this stuff to his subordinates? No, most of this James argument stuff doesn’t hold any water at all.

No I think it was just like Paul said it in Galatians 2:9 – James was reputed to be one of the leaders in Jerusalem (not the Pope or Pastor or Lead Elder) – just one of the guys who had earned a great reputation from the brothers – and so they listened to him.