Preachers, Beware of the “I’m Not the Pastor” Trap
First of all, it is true that I am not “the pastor.” The New Testament does not authorize one-man rule, and the role of elders is always in the plural in each congregation. I know that. I preach that.
However, there is a trap that some preachers can fall into if they are not careful, and today I’d like to address it.
Preachers walk a fine line. We want to be helpful to our elders, but good preachers do not want to overstep our role and try to become the leader. We want to submit to elders, but we also–due to being close to the elders–see flaws at times. We do not want to be the finger-pointer, but we do want to be helpful, even to those who are over us as our shepherds.
So, we often try to remind elders that the Bible teaches them to visit the sick (James 5:14). It teaches that one of the qualifications of an elder is hospitality (1 Timothy 3:2; Titus 1:8). Further, we know that elders, by the very nature of their role, are to lead by example.
Knowing that, then, there are some preachers to basically hold to the idea that, “My job is to study and preach; it’s up to the elders to visit.”
Should preachers study? Yes.
Do elders need to visit? Yes.
But when we fall into the trap of “visiting is their job, it’s not my job,” we are failing to remember that every Christian is to be hospitable and is to visit.
Should elders do that work? Yes.
But should elders be the only ones? Not in the least.
Preachers, we need to spend time in the study of the Word. A lot of time. Serious, prayerful time.
But we also need to get out of our offices (I prefer to call mine a “study,” rather than an “office”) and, dare I say it, “just be a Christian!”
It is so true that we will not be able to visit every person who ever has the sniffles or is going through any level of a difficult time. It is far easier for a plurality of elders to reach the sick rather than just one preacher.
But we can go see someone. We can go encourage someone. We can call or write to someone.
Not because it’s our “job,” but because we are Christians…
…first.
———————
To Receive Every Post via Email for Free, Click Here
AUTHOR: Adam Faughn
Photo background credit: U.S. Army, Europe on Creative Commons
