A Beautiful Address - Brought Back into the Light.
Here is a speech which could truly change the world. First, consider the friendly context. A Baptist scholar is addressing the ‘Friends of Sunday School’ in a Presbyterian Church. We rejoice in their unity. Is there not one true church, despite the many designations?
He’s encouraging “lay preaching” but only after he explains that the laity is a product of corrupted Christianity. He then explains the true meaning of preaching - a word that has been misused for billions of times, no doubt.
And he encourages everyone to get crackin’ for the Kingdom. Everyone means every one. Even women and young people can preach or proclaim the good news.
House churchers might notice that the charge against the institutional church of failing to let everyone participate is not entirely justified. Sunday Schools (class meetings, catechesis, etc) have purposely encouraged participation for hundreds of years, just as the author demonstrates.
Scripture reminds us that not all are teachers. And if all elders are to be apt to teach, then there must necessarly be a time for this teaching to occur.
Granted, this issue of participation is a very valid concern. One not entirely resolved. Yet.
-
You just gave me another theme for my YouTube series, "What can we learn from the First Century Church?" I have been trying to put this concern into words for many years. What I do hear from some pulpits is this, "everyone get busy and support our pastor in his or her work!"
Well, when we consider the nation that had Almighty God as their king, but still wanted a human king, I guess this isn't new!
-
Great to see you, dear brother @Dan Beaty.
Your phrase about "supporting the pastor" is close to a phrase actually found in Scripture. We are led to the place where red-letter Bibles highlight a saying of Jesus not recorded in the Gospels. Acts 20. A text often taken out of context and used during the "offertory." :)
In these red letters is the well known saying about "being more blessed to give than to receive."
But though similar, the word order about pastors is something different as is the true meaning, of course. Instead of supporting the pastor - it is about the pastors themselves who are to be supporting... the other members:
I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing. You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions. In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
This is in perfect harmony with other texts such as this from Ephesians 4. What is in view is "needs based" assistance. Remember when there was an outpouring of generosity in the book of Acts. Properties were sold - the money given to those IN NEED. Not to hire additional church staff members.
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that NEEDETH.
Of course, in the family of God, anyone has the liberty to help supply the needs of anyone else. But needs do not represent a regular salary. Nor an exemption from other kinds of work. Consider this for example:
Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things. Galatians 6:6.
One final thought. Concerning the "disorderly persons" in the Thessalonian churches. It is my belief that Paul would have included the elders in this group if they were "not working at all." I say this because Paul was using his own life and his own manual labors as the example to everyone else there. Why would not his example not apply to the church leaders???