Before you read this article, I ask that you read the two previous articles in this series. The first article answers the questions, "what constitutes true growth?" and "what is the focus of the local church?" In the second article, I dealt with the issue of "church-hopping" and how we should react to Christians who leave their church to join ours.
Yesterday, I introduced the term "church-hopper." Today, I'd like to introduce another term: preacheritis. The suffix "itis" refers to the inflammation of something. Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints, for example. Likewise, preacheritis is the inflammation of the preacher, and no, I'm not talking about the tendency among preachers to gain weight over the years...I'm talking about the all-too-common scenario among local churches were the role of the preacher is overemphasized and overinflated.
Yes, the Bible does speak of those men who are preachers (Rom. 10:14), ministers (1 Tim. 4:6), and evangelists (2 Tim. 4:5). All three of these terms may be applied to those who preach the gospel in some capacity. Furthermore, Paul, in 1 Corinthians 9:14 makes the point that preachers can be paid for their efforts, and in 1 Timothy 5:17, Paul again speaks of those who "labor in word and doctrine" (in this case, elders are under consideration).
So in no way am I arguing against the role and work of preachers, nor am I condemning the concept of having men within the local church who perhaps have a special focus and function. What I am saying is that we need to properly understand these roles. Too many Christians--and I'm talking about faithful Christian in faithful congregations--are guilty of preacheritis. They place too much honor and emphasis upon the preacher.
Let me get right to it...
Where in the New Testament is it stated that preachers are to handle all of the evangelism and preaching within the local church? Where does it say that the preacher is the only one that needs to be concerned about setting up Bible studies and spreading the gospel? Is there some verse somewhere that commands preachers to write articles, pass out flyers, go door-knocking...and then forbids "regular Christians" from engaging in the same activities? If so, I've missed it.
Each of us is commanded to share our faith (Philemon 1:6). We are all instructed to "give an answer" (1 Pet. 3:15). All Christians are to be "able to teach" and able to instruct and correct those who are in error (2 Tim. 2:24-25). None of us are exempt from these commands. It is absolutely wrong to think that only the preacher is required to evangelize and teach.
When a congregation is infected with preacheritis, many problems arise. First of all, they are wrong in their view of the preacher's role, no better than denominational folks who believe and practice the "one-man pastor system."
Second, congregations end up criticizing the preacher for not meeting some unspoken quota. Preachers cannot be effective when no one is helping them. Usually, a preacher is not native to the area in which he is preaching; most likely, he has moved to location to work with a church and is unfamiliar with the area, the culture, the people, etc. Here the members have so many contacts, and the preacher has none. And yet he is expected to have some kind of magical effect as he engages in the work solo. If only the members of the church would work side-by-side with the preacher, they could accomplish SO much more, and the church would grow.
Third, congregations guilty of preacheritis...well, they won't grow. An inactive congregation that places the whole workload on some hired preacher will, at best, grow very slowly, and in most cases, not grow at all!
In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes it abundantly clear that every member of the body has something that they are to contribute. We all have different functions, different talents, different abilities, and we are required to be ACTIVE. If you are just warming the pew every Sunday--if all you do is show up--then you are...well, I believe you're in sin. After all, what does Jesus say about those who do not bear fruit in John 15:1-2? Something to think about.
It's fine for churches to hire full-time preachers. It's great when men are qualified and elders can be appointed. But don't think for a minute that having these workers present exempts you from teaching and evangelizing.
We need to be training the men in the congregation to teach (2 Tim. 2:2). We need to be encouraging one another and involving one another in the church's work. Even the women need to be active in doing what they can to facilitate growth, and there is plenty for the women to do, believe me.
As we conclude this series of articles, I want you to think about the congregation of which you are a member. How is your church doing? If there are problems, and there usually are, then please have the courage to correct these problems. Whether it is a misunderstanding of what successful evangelism is, or a lackadaisical view of "church-hoppers," or the issue or preacheritis, please do all that you can to bring about change.
Let me know if you have any questions. My email address is kybiblequestions@yahoo.com.
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