Church Structure: Exaggeration of Unity -> Rejection of Diversity

It is common for groups of people to focus their attitudes and behaviors toward the idiosyncrisies and mannerisms of their leader. Such conformism thus can go far beyond mere acceptance of the beliefs and values of the leader. The result is a "personality cult" in which any deviation from the norm is suspect. The loss of diversity leads to a loss of creativity and sense of freedom; the Spirit is quenched and there is a danger of slipping further down the slope towards "mob rule." Only the top leadership can prevent this, by having an attitude of humility and tolerance toward diversity in the group. The leadership must remember that their authority and the admiration of their followers are gifts from God, they are not their right to expect -- or enforce.