North End Church of Christ

By: R.F. Knox, Jr.

In I Timothy, Paul gives instruction to preachers, and in our text for this article, he says: “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, visit the sick and the shut-ins, comfort the dying and their families, be on every committee, attend all social functions of the church, efficiently run the church office, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. (I Timothy 4:6)

No, the verse does not read as it is written above, but many people seem to believe this is the way it is, or the way it should have been written. Rather than letting God’s word define the role of preachers, many have allowed denominational thought to define their role. Unfortunately, this has led to a type of pastor system in churches of Christ. No one is willing to admit this is what is really going on, or what many subconsciously or intentionally want in the Lord’s church.

When we study the Bible, we learn it is every Christian’s responsibility to visit the shut-in, comfort the dying, wait on tables, etc. These things are not the exclusive work of preachers, although such has become their designated work in many cases. Yet, those who do few of the things every Christian is supposed to do, are the most critical of preachers who miss even one “church function,” or fails to do things the way they think they should be done.

Who is at fault for this unscriptural “secret pastorship” system in the church of our Lord? First, I blame preachers. We are charged with proclaiming the truth of God, whether said truth is popular or unpopular (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Many preachers are afraid to speak out on the subject because people will get upset and may lose their “job” (sic). After all, the preacher is being “paid” to do these things. Second, the fault lies with elders who are not willing to assume their responsibilities, but would rather push them off on the preacher. Third, the fault lies with materialistic, partially converted, members of the Lord’s church. Some of these grew up in denominational settings, and still love to have it so. Fourth, second and third generation Christians who do not want to upset the apple cart and feel “at ease in Zion” are to blame. They often do not want the responsibility nor consumption of time such Christian behavior demands.

All of these groups have obviously not studied their Bibles as they should, and thus, do not know God’s definition of a good minister/preacher. They do not understand the privilege of supporting a preacher so he can devote his energies to studying and teaching God’s word as He instructs them (I Cor. 9; 2 Timothy 4:2ff). No wonder there is so much preaching going on which has no depth to it, and is not filled with the scriptures.

What is the solution to this problem in the Lord’s church? Obviously, brethren must be taught what the Bible says about the duties of a good minister. This will take men of courage in the pulpits who are not afraid of losing their support. It will take elders who are willing to reassume their role as elders, and members who are willing to lay aside carnal thinking for Biblical instruction. Is there enough courage in Zion to reestablish the Biblical pattern for the work of preachers in the Lord’s church?