My Problem With ‘The minister’

It is important that I put a disclaimer on the following comments. I don’t have a problem with leadership and submitting to it. I acknowledge the people God puts over me in life to whom I’m held accountable. Leadership is crucial in all areas of life. Likewise to a large degree the comments are not directed at an individual – they are aimed at a mind-set. So in a way it’s nothing personal, it’s strictly business. (Though as you know everything that is business for Jesus is best done when it is very personal.)

I have a problem with ‘The minister’. I guess you gathered that by the heading of this post. Let me paint the picture of the perception of ‘The minister’ which may help with where the problem is.

The first thing to notice is the fact that he is referred to as ‘The minister’ in fact in referring to him as such, it should be ‘The Minister’ for the deference that is afforded him. Something else to note is that ‘The minister’ was a ‘he’ – she was never ‘The minister’, only he could be. This is not an argument for women pastors etc. it’s just help with the picture. As you’ll also note it is not a case of ‘The ministers’ there is only ‘The minister’. Of course when it came to regional and national events he would come across his equivalents in different localities, but as far as that local church was concerned there was only ‘The minister’. There maybe ‘officers’ but more often than not, they were at the beck and call of ‘The minister’.

Here he is – ‘The minister’, the final authority of the local church, the fount of all wisdom in the local church, the one with all the answers in the local church, the dude in charge in the local church. He is the preacher, he is the teacher, he is the one to pray for the sick, he is the one needed for all emergencies, for if ‘The minister’ cannot do it, then no one else is spiritually qualified. If baptisms are to take place ‘The minister’ must officiate. When God speaks it is usually through ‘the minister’ after all he is the preacher. In the event of someone else hearing from God only ‘The minister’ can discern and verify its authenticity and grant it his blessing. Should anyone have an idea for personal or church development unless ‘The minister’ ordains it they labour in vain that attempt it.

He is ‘The minister’ and he ministers in church gatherings made distinguishable by his adherence to the sanctified dress code. For we know if you don’t wear the shirt, tie, and trousers (suit jacket is also essential unless temperatures are too hot and special dispensation has been given to go without) and carry a Bible bigger than your head in a dignified briefcase then you are not fit to stand before God’s people to ‘minister’ to them.

I know some who would read this description and see no problem with that. My problem with it (and it really should be ‘problems’, but this is but one entry) lies in the fact that this would not be recognised in the new Testament church. It makes a mockery of the call of all those who follow jesus to be ministers. It allows the false ‘clergy-laity’ split to come in again. We maybe a holy and royal priesthood, butsome are more priestly than others. Just to take one example, why is it only ‘The ministers’ and officers who baptise? If we are all called to make disciples, it makes sense that we are all to baptise them as well. I didn’t read a split in responsibility at that point.

The biggest problem i have with ‘The minister’ is that he often takes the place of christ in the minds of some believers. He inadvertently is a block that prevents the body from growing to minister as it should. Rather than being a co-labourer, he is put on a pedestal and is expected to do ‘the work of the ministry’ while his audience sit back and wait to be ministered. Again an unhealthy and unbiblical notion of what God’s church is supposed to be.

The alternative would actually be the original model suggested in the first place and carried out through the encouragement of the apostles.  Every member is a minister – commissioned to make disciples, called to serve in their area through the gifts and heart given to them.  This way more people will recognise their ultimate responsibility to be faithful to their call in Christ, rather than have an attitude of expecting ‘The minister’ to ‘minister’ in everything (oh except the menial stuff) to everyone.

It’s just a suggestion.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd