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 On
page 5, we have an article that may draw fire. Preachers
are sensitive creatures, and sometimes react exactly like other
members who feel the pinch of a tight-fitting shoe.
We
are aware that “Why Quit? aims a barb in the direction of “motive”
— and we know we can not accurately judge motives. Nor do we
mean to try. We challenge each “preacher” who has “quit”
to examine his own motives and be his own honest critic. We
write as we do because we see a crying need for more dedicated,
hard-working “full-time” preachers.
But
the blame does not belong wholly with the preachers. We see
churches that suffer for lack of a “full-time” sense of
obligation. In their swing away from the over-organized,
social-club “churchanity” of the liberal movement, they have
become content with “keeping house for the Lord.” It suits
them fine for the preacher to make his living selling insurance,
and the reduced “church” activity gives them more time to
make an extra dollar. If the sermons are stale, Bible study in a
comfortable “rut”, they blame it on economic circumstances,
and sleep on.
Then,
we should not leave this subject without paying respects to the
growing number of men who work at “secular” jobs,
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but give unselfishly of their time to
fill the gap made by the preacher shortage. They recognize the
limitations imposed by their dual role — realize such
part-time activity can not fill the place of a life devoted
completely to study, teaching and preaching — but they deprive
themselves of vacations, after-hours relaxation time, and quiet
Sunday afternoons to prepare lessons and preach in places that
otherwise would have little teaching.
I
am finding more and more elders who take their work seriously,
and put long hours into preparing Bible lessons, and visiting
members who are in need of assistance. Perhaps some of these
were once “full—time” preachers who, for reasons best
known to them, now support themselves in the commercial world.
We appreciate their efforts. In fact, our writing is not
presented to attack the part-time preacher, but to urge the
necessity for more full-time workers.
Years
ago advocates of “mutual- edification” stressed a sound
Bible principle — that all saints should be teachers, and that
participation in public worship developed talents. But churches
“died on the vine” as poorly prepared men built hobbies and
factions. Don’t let it happen again!!
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