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 The
local team was being slaughtered on the football field. The
quarterback was dumped repeatedly, and if the ball got out of
his hands the receiver seldom left his tracks. But the home fans
believed in their favorite runner, and every time their boys
went into a huddle, grandstand advice was plentiful. They
pleaded, over and over, "Let Leroy have the ball! Let Leroy
have the ball'.!"
Finally,
after a severe crushing, a lone figure arose from the huddle,
cupped his hands toward the fans, and shouted, "Leroy say
he don't want the ball'."
This
old story came to mind recently as I punched home a lesson on
the priesthood of believers. There were nods of approval as I
showed the error of clergy-laity distinctions. All seemed to
agree that each saint had "equal rights" before God.
Each could study the Bible for himself. Each was equally
"called" to teach others. But when I began to remind
them of responsibilities, according to ability and opportunity,
I could almost hear the call from the playing field: "Leroy
say he don't want the ball!"
There
are scores of half-dead churches scattered about, monuments to
the folly of "mutual edification" by brethren who
would
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not prepare themselves to "carry
the ball." Other congregations are wrecked by "equal
rights" campaigners, envious of those who are leaders, but
who would not "carry the ball" of responsibility if
given the opportunity. The glory" of ball carrier seems not
so bright from the bottom of a brutal pile-up.
Yes,
there are men in the pulpit, editing papers, overseeing
churches, who are unsuited to the work. Sometimes they are put
there in desperation, as though an "opening"
qualified. But in the absence of excuse, when they should be
replaced, and experienced men are available, it is often
difficult to persuade "qualified" (?) men to take the
job. (In my book, the man who feels no responsibility to God and
His work, has highly questionable "qualifications.")
We want it done, but "Let John do it." We run the game
from our TV chairs.
In
a church of workers there is usually little complaint
about overseers or ball carriers. The mutual desire for results
overwhelms petty differences, and leaders are spurred to greater
visions by solid support. Leroy might even want to carry the
ball, if he had better blockers.
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