Worldly Standards for Spiritual Efforts

In the work of the local church, a spiritual work not susceptible to the same measurements of success or failure applied to material endeavors, it is a major mistake to use the models and images created by the world. Only those provided by the Lord, the church's head, will prove effective.

Trying to fit a preacher into the mold of a church manager or administrator is a colossal mistake. Many brethren think of him as the one around whom all congregational efforts/projects must be centered (ignorant that elders are such leaders). Others think of him as an office boy with office hours, regardless of the need for him to be elsewhere doing more important things. Some view him as the church's official representative, insisting that he should wear a certain "uniform," make all announcements and be spokesman for the church. Would somebody kindly favor me with the passage teaching any of these ideas.

While disavowing the term "clergyman," some insist that a preacher must remain aloof from the common people when possible, not dirtying his hands (literally and figuratively) with the more mundane matters of life. They absolutely cringe at the sight of his doing physical labor around the church building, at his house, or at the houses of others. In all of these areas, there have been plenty of preachers who have enjoyed such special treatment and have acted so as to further these notions in people's minds.

The creation of an elite group of "big preachers" in the minds of some is another use of worldly standards inappropriate in the church. These are smoothly praised and flatteringly treated by those who would not cross the road to hear and encourage "smaller" men, as these twisted thinkers view them. James 2:1-13 teaches a needed lesson on impartiality that many of us have not fathomed.

The lures used to attract people to hear the gospel and the devices for measuring the gospel's success also betray much carnal thinking. An impressive building, recreational programs for various ages, the improper citing of attendance and contribution figures, flattering titles for preachers, emphasis on community leaders in a local church, and other such tactics have been employed for good purpose, but without God's favor.

God's people have the only power needed to convert the lost in the gospel divinely given for that purpose (Rom.l:16; Jn.6:44-45). Nothing else is needed. Nothing else can accomplish God's objective. We must leave all else alone.

Jesus made it clear that in the spiritual kingdom there would be no ranking of citizens, no lording over others, and no tactics relying on arrogant power. Humble service is the only path to divine approval and exaltation, and that can be best observed in the lowly life of the Nazarene, who came "not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." (Matt. 20:20-28.)

All evangelists must remember to use only the arsenal of spiritual weaponry provided by our Commander-in-Chief and teach others in the church to employ the same. Offensive propagation of truth and opposition to error both require the tools divinely provided, not the carnal tactics often employed by faithless men. The battle is the Lord's, the weapons are from Him, and the power is His!