Why Don't We Have a Paid Preacher?
From the noble believers of Berea do we find a standard of practice required of any Christian. For, at Berea, they found favor in the eyes of God because, "they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so" (Acts 17:11). These brethren may have been on the mind of Paul when he encouraged the Thessalonians to "Prove all things; hold fast to that which is good" (I Thess. 5:21).
The church bought by the blood of Christ shall never be fearful of man's eye of criticism. The kingdom of God on earth, when faithfully adhering to God's ordinances and commands, shall never step down from being tested against the Word of God. Such should be the men and women contained within the walls of Christ. We should always eagerly anticipate a question or challenge of our faith and our practices. In fact, Peter demands we prepare for such opportunities. (I Peter 3:15)
Of numerous practices and beliefs we stand firm; ready for the world's onslaught. Water baptism, musical instruments, local autonomy, and eternal judgment are studied and studied again knowing the present world's disagreements and misconceptions. Yet, many other aspects of our beliefs and practices go unchallenged. Almost grand-fathered into acceptance over time. Shall we consider these, as well? Shall we apply the same standard of truth?
To this end we cast a watchful eye towards local church government. The center of the original apostate movement (Acts 20:29, II Thess. 2:3-4) the corruption of leaders within the church guided the believers into despair. Have we, as the modern host of the Lord's army, made the same mistake and set a course towards spiritual erosion?
The question at hand is the authority we have to hire a single man for the "office" of a preacher. Do we have the authority within the pages of God's Word to limit the public preaching of the Bible to a few? Thousands of churches of Christ adhere to such a practice. For those who veer from what they term as a "one-man pulpit system," it is a matter of scriptural authority.
The Roman Catholic church begat the clergy-laity relationship when it gradually removed certain practices from the hands of the unordained. Baptism, communion, and other "holy rites" were deemed too sacred for the average man to administer. Only those of the cloth, being given some unknown "authority," could do such things.
Unwittingly, the church of Christ may have allowed such influences of the world seep into the congregations creating a clergy within the church of Christ. The countryside church with its lack of an educated and an affluent preacher, may have felt ashamed when compared to much larger and more exquisite denominations boasting hired preachers. Into the trap of Israel we have fallen. For Israel said to Samuel, "make us a king to judge us like all the nations" (I Sam. 8:5). We had no hired preachers and thought we needed them. So we eventually hired them to be like the denominations around us.
Yet, we may have hired them contrary to the first century church's example. A careful examination of the New Testament is curiously silent about the single pulpit preacher system. Of elders and deacons we automatically turn to our passages of authority outlining various qualifications. Of the traveling minister and proclaimer of the gospel to spiritually barren lands we mimic the paths of Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Titus, and Timothy.
But where, O man of God, can we find the authority to limit public service preaching and teaching to one or two men of a congregation attended by hundreds? Where is the command, the example, or even the subtle necessary inference we demand of all other practices and beliefs?
A thorough examination of scriptures touching the edification, admonition, and education of the local congregations of the first century contradicts our current practices. Paul's epistle to Philippi was addressed to "all the saints...with the bishops and deacons" (Phi. 1:1). What about the all-important preacher? Perhaps Philippi lacked the funds to support a pulpit preacher.
While instructing the church at Antioch, it is recorded that Paul and Barnabas preached and taught the church, "with many others also" (Acts 15:35). Even the presence of an apostle of Christ and his fellow traveler did not remove the authority of teaching and preaching from the remaining brethren. Why aren't we following the example of Antioch?
Every indication from the scriptures points to a mutual sharing of public preaching and teaching in the local congregation. "And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren...able also to admonish one another" (Rom. 15:14). "From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love" (Eph. 4:16). "But exhort one another daily..." (Heb. 3:13) "As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (I Peter 4:10).
As if these verses, which are accompanied by many more, are not enough, the example of Paul should finalize the issue. Which congregation of Paul's establishment did he aid in the hiring of a "located" pulpit preacher? When he returned and ordained elders in every church (Acts 14:23) why is there no mention of a preacher? If the local paid preacher is an absolute necessity for God's flocks, why are only the elders of Ephesus called by Paul in Acts 20?
Some will counter that the elders have the right and authority to hire a preacher at their discretion. The elders are commanded to "feed the flock" and this is their means of fulfilling such a command. These are the same elders who never stood before the congregation to publicly preach the gospel. God never allows such actions. A Christian, small or great, can never fulfill a command by proxy. The actions of another shall never alleviate me of my personal responsibilities. If each man of a congregation is commanded to teach publicly and privately, no located paid preacher can relieve the men of their responsibilities.
Before us now lays a difficult example to follow. To unshackle ourselves from the single paid preacher system requires courage and patience; yet, there is no other system of preaching and teaching authorized by the New Testament other than one fully utilizing every capable male member. The sermons of the early church were spoken from the lips of numerous men in each congregation and so should ours.
The present located preachers should not consider this examination a challenge to their abilities. Countless sermons have echoed within each congregation's auditorium from their hearts leading countless to Christ. Most of us have never considered any alternative or even known of another means of public service. To share the pulpit requires relinquishing a power possessed for decades which may have never existed to start with.
If true that each capable man is to address the congregation to teach and preach, hundreds of us must leave the comforts of our pews and take action. Far more motivation is required to write a sermon and give it than to listen. We must avoid laziness and complacency and courageously accept the joy of spreading God's word.
Consider the benefits of mutual preaching and teaching. A multitude of perspectives will radiate from the pulpit. A single liberal preacher no longer can willfully deceive an entire congregation when countless men are able to publicly counter the views. Individual men will grow stronger and more skillful in the Word by preparing lessons and their families can only profit with them.
Oh, why have we not considered this before? Why have we blindly followed a path lacking the authority we demand of other practices? Consider the scriptures on this subject and remember the Bereans. It is a matter of scriptural authority.
