EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third and final (for now) article regarding AUTONOMY. A much more detailed discussion of this subject is made in the three sermons preached on this subject. Those lessons and their charts are available on our website.
Preachers and Preaching
Nearly fifty years ago, after eight years of preaching by appointment in rural churches of Christ, some elders asked me to consider working “full time” for a congregation about fifteen miles from our home. Before making the decision, it seemed wise to consult with preachers I loved and respected, who had shared their wisdom with me as I tried to learn how to preach, and inquire of them their thoughts on my entering this work “full time.” Their comments varied and their encouragement ranged from casual to abundant, but I had to decide. I went to my grandmother whose time with me in teaching the word of God was exquisite. Though Dad and Mom taught me abundantly, it was Grandmother who, by my parent's insistence, devoted many a Saturday night to teaching me how to study and understand the Scriptures. I valued her opinion as I told her I was seriously considering the offer. She kept swinging in her swing on the front porch, as though she either did not hear me or was deep in thought of the subject. Finally, she replied, “Michael, it isn’t WHAT you want to do, but the WAY you want to do it that bothers me. I’ve lived long enough to learn that full-time preachers make for lazy brethren.” We discussed her reasoning, and it took me a few years to experience the fact. Now, I fully understand it!
Gospel preachers must never be “hirelings” as if the congregation has hired someone to do all their work for them, including their study of and obedience to the law of Christ. Gospel preachers must never permit the inflation of their egos to make them think they are “authority figures” over every situation that arises in a local work. Gospel preachers must never think so highly of themselves as to believe themselves infallible in any fashion. We gospel preachers are nothing more and nothing less than loud-mouthed church members! We are the “encouragers,” of the brethren, the “watchmen” who sound the warnings, the “examples” of good works (1 Timothy 1:16; Titus 2:7), proclaimers of truth. We hold no office in the Lord’s church as preachers. While some preachers are also ordained elders over the flock where they labor, they must guard in such a “dual role” to avoid being lords over God’s heritage (1 Peter 5:3). Preachers preach … that’s it! We have no authority to legislate anything, INCLUDING decisions left to the local work. That is the work of the elders (if the local church is so blessed to have them) or the best wisdom of those who bravely, yet with unity, make those decisions for the local work. The preacher must NEVER put himself or allow himself to be forced into the role of a “pastor” when the term does not scripturally apply to him! (Pastor in the New Testament is synonymous with elder, bishop, overseer, shepherd – a role whose qualifications are found in 1 Timothy 3: 1- 7 and Titus 1: 5 – 9).
The autonomy of the local church of Christ permits the hiring of any capable gospel preacher and the freedom to have him preach occasionally, or for a gospel meeting, or hire him to be “full-time.” But it does NOT remove the individual responsibilities of each member of that local work! The local work is still under the law of Christ, and not the ideas or ideals of a gospel preacher!
We have said it repeatedly: Autonomy does NOT negate the law of Christ Jesus! Too often, gospel preachers are expected to be the “experts” regarding the Scriptures. Brethren who think this of gospel preachers should read and understand James 3 and combine that inspired reasoning with 1 John 4. Further, gospel preachers are not “brotherhood police dogs,” entitled to investigate other gospel preachers or congregations and determine their faithfulness, then publish their assessments to the world! That practice removes autonomy and most certainly oversteps the bounds shown by the early church (i.e., Acts 20:28; Romans 12:3; James 1:26; 3:13; 1 Peter 5: 1-2). Remember that while the LORD addressed the several problems of the churches of Asia (Revelation 2 – 3), He did NOT tell them to close and go to where no problems existed! Instead, He told them to “strengthen the things that remain” and “he that overcometh.” Therefore, they were to solve their OWN problems via the study and acceptance of the Word of God!
One last thought on this matter: learn the truth about expediency! Paul said, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” (1 Corinthians 10:23) The word means “be better for, bring together, be expedient (for), be good, (be) profit (-able for).” [Strong] Whatever is thought to be expedient must FIRST be lawful, and able to edify the brethren! The preacher is, via his role with the local church, an expedient! His life, his words, and his demeanor must remain in concert with the Law of Christ, and never usurp that law! Anything different defies the law of Christ (1 Thessalonians 4: 1- 8). Let’s be careful and preach only the word!