Why does there seem to be a disconnect between congregational Elders and pastors/preachers?

I have spent my life in churches, from the highly organized denominational institution to the lone congregation without affiliation to a church with a loose by definite connection to other churches of like mind (mostly). In most of these the men and women on what might be called the "governing" board were mostly sincere and dedicated Christians who wanted to work in and help their local congregation. Again in most cases, the relationship between the board and the minister was positive and cooperative.

That is not always the case, of course. There are many examples of conflict over policies, procedures, practices, tradition, and "who runs the church." WHY? I humbly offer the following.

The Church of Jesus Christ has, for over 2,000 years, still not understood the concept of humility and submission - particularly submission to the Lord of the Church, much less submission to one another. In the post-Constantinian age, church leaders took on the role of little kings, exercising authority over the church in a fairly rigid hierarchy. During the middle ages, the separation became more pronounced as the educated clergy took on the responsibility for the uneducated masses in telling them what to believe and how to live. The reformation, with the advent of the printed Bible, moved the two groups closer together, but the leadership still maintained a level of authority. As we came into the modern era, the church took on the look of a corporation with executive officers, boards, committees, etc. And in all of this, the one characteristic missing was humility - submission to God and to one another. (Yes, I know that is a simple indictment of a complex issue, but I am allowed a certain level of hyperbole.)

Now we find ourselves in a neo-modern (not quite post-modern) church, with leaders who have come to certain conclusions regarding the faith and life of the church and want to make sure the church follows their enlightened lead. Sometimes this is the preacher - sometimes this is the "board." But whoever it is maintains a high level of arrogance regarding what he (normally he; she's are still a minority) believes and is not easily moved. It is astounding to me that so many of us believe we at last found THE truth of the Christian faith and are so closed to change. Even a man of such profound insight into the gospel and meaning of Jesus as the Apostle Paul admits he isn't always on track and still presses forward to grasp what he does not yet see.

And so Elders/Shepherds and preachers come to be at odds. All of us in positions of oversight and responsibility should remember that only God is correct all the time, only Jesus is Lord, and only the Holy Spirit will lead us into all truth.

Humility - a missing attribute of too may of us. God, keep me humble and open to your teaching and leading. Let me see my brother/sister as one with understanding I don't have and help me to learn from those with whom I disagree.

So let it be written! So let it be done!