Volume 46   Number 2                                                          October 2003

The caption on our weekly bulletin in Kirksville reads: "Every Member a Minister, Priest, and Saint". Christians need to belong to a body of believers. They need to study the law, serve the Lord, and sacrifice for the lost. Mark it down: To the degree that you are involved, you will grow spiritually and be happier. To the degree that your local congregation is uninvolved, members will become lax and disgruntled, finding fault with others. There is little time for complaint when we focus on outreach and developing our talents.

Even the church growth experts admit that small churches are leadership producers. I used to imagine that large churches were strong churches until I saw how weak many of their members were, untrained in scripture and unequipped to serve. Now, small churches are not immune from such a scenario either, but the setting allows talent and spiritual growth to emerge, howbeit, sometimes by necessity. Maturity comes to "those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:14). And what churches grow more exponentially than any other? New church starts, where enthusiasm and outreach are present, grow the most of any!

Along the way, we have succumbed to the idea that we need a "professional" for every aspect of work. "We need an eloquent Pulpit Preacher. We need an Associate, Youth Minister. We need to hire a Children's Minister (often a woman). Our singing would be so much better if we had a professional Worship Leader. And believe it or not, if we only had a paid Involvement Minister, this church would move mountains." Brethren, are we only motivated to serve by money? Where is the priesthood of believers? Where are the biblical examples to justify these wants? Where are the teachers (Hebrews 5:12)?

Of course, the retort could come that I am being idealistic. I am actually being more pragmatic than you might imagine. Can smaller groups really work? If not, why are so many large congregations abandoning evening services and replacing them with small groups; in fact, there is less need for a single pulpit minister than ever before! But, the question remains, can the rotation of preaching work? Surely. Look at the Mormons who practice mutual edification through the volunteer services of their men who take turns preaching. The Mormons put these freed-up funds into evangelism, personal work, benevolence, church buildings, and media advertising. There is no secret to their growth!

I don't know anyone who is opposed to an evangelist working with a congregation for extended periods of time, even years (Acts 20:31). We are not quibbling over located or dislocated preachers. But that evangelist should be under the authority of an eldership, should be accountable, and should be working to develop the talents of the congregation so that elders and deacons can emerge. It is the responsibility of those elders and deacons to feed the flock and to provide leadership opportunities for other members. In turn, they should be motivated by grace enough to put additional workers on the frontlines, talent where it is most needed by sending forth evangelists. Isn't that God's plan? Lest anyone miss the point, we need full-time evangelists. We need tent-makers like Paul, too, who can do evangelistic work without burdening churches. We need elders and deacons who lead and serve. We need churches who claim to practice mutual edification in the assemblies to practice personal work in their communities! We need to heed God's practical prescription for spiritual health.

Occasionally, people point to the church at Jerusalem and proclaim it the model of church growth. Look closer. There was great benevolence need in Jerusalem because many of those who became Christians on the Day of Pentecost desired to stay longer and become grounded in the apostles' doctrine. Lack of outreach started to erupt into internal strife over the neglect of feeding widows. Through persecution the church in Jerusalem was forced to become evangelistic and went everywhere preaching the word as members were scattered (Acts 8:1-4). God doesn't desire a hub, but asks us to go to every hut.

So examine your circumstances. Perhaps the Lord is nudging your congregation, and you, to greater depth of service. Study the law. We have been sanctified through our adherence to the perfect law of liberty (John 17:17, 1 Peter 1:22, James 1:25). The day that we allow others to study the word for us is the day we slip toward apostasy. Serve the Lord. Old Testament priests and attendants served in various capacities with their duties foreshadowing our service. As they weekly ate the showbread (Leviticus 24:5-9), we eat the Lord's supper. As they offered incense, priests today offer prayers (Revelation 5:8; 8:3-5). As they played instruments of music in the temple, we sing and make melody in the temple of our hearts (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16). Sacrifice for the lost. While we trust the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, we are called to make spiritual sacrifices (Romans 12:1). In the Old Testament the clergy sustained themselves through the tithes and sacrifices of others. Today, self-sacrifice in the form of time, talents, and treasures must be seen in modern priests. We have a great mission: to seek and save the lost. When we teach others, we save them from the fire (Jude 23). At the very minimum, by our access to the throne of God, we should pray, even now, that the lost might seek God. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Another way that you can dialogue with me about these thoughts is to visit our Discussion Board at: