Monday, June 17, 2013

The Truckdriver and the Pastor

There are two facets to a healthy spiritual body, the relationship between those taught and those being taught, and the relationship of those being taught with one another.

"And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves" (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

Unfortunately in most of the Christian churches in America there is an invisible division between the leaders and the people. The platform on which the leaders sit most likely originated to allow the congregation to see who is speaking, but it has become in the minds of many a symbolism of hierarchy.

God has given some individuals the gift of speaking and teaching and to others varying gifts of ministry to the body of Christ (Ephesians 11:4-13; Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:4-31). The dishwasher, the singer, the sweeper, the pastor, the grandparent, the retired truck driver, all have been saved by the grace if God and do not deserve the bountiful mercy God has bestowed on us (Ephesians 2:8).