PDX Carpet was named the Grand Marshal of the 2015 Starlight Parade, March 20, 2015 (KOIN 6 News)

The Grand Marshal in a parade is not the leader. Yes, they may be in the front of the parade. They may be the most recognizable name in the parade to those observing the parade. It is an honor to be a Grand Marshal. You get special treatment and access. You may be the Grand Marshal of the parade, but everyone knows you are not leading the parade. And to be honest, the job of a parade Grand Marshal can be (and recently was) accomplished by a carpet roll.

If the Grand Marshal deviated from the parade route, no one in the parade will follow. It is clear that there is something other than the Grand Marshal who is the leader of the parade. Everyone knows it but few ever see who that leader is.

The same can be said about Church. The clergy or senior leadership functions like the Grand Marshal. They may be in front, but they are not leading. The Church is (and has always been and will always be) lead by God in Christ through the Holy Spirit.

Just because you are up front does not mean you are leader.