The Edifier
West Allen Church of Christ
Preachers and Ethics
Recently a Brazoria County Baptist "pastor" continued preaching despite being released from duties after eight years of service.Many of the longtime members of the group were ready for him to leave, while the newer members encouraged him to stay on. Some of his supporters tried to seize the church finances; claiming the church constitution, authorizing only the deacons to control the finances, was never approved by the congregation. The deacons filed suit and a District Judge ordered the church to vote on his fate.
How can such problems be avoided in churches of Christ?
To answer this question, it is important that we never overlook
some very basic New Testament principles relating to the Lord's church.
In the days of the apostles, one pastor did not shepherd a flock
(i.e., a single congregation). The terms pastor, elder and bishop are used
interchangeably in the New Testament. They are different designations of the same service.
When Paul preached the gospel and planted churches in various cities,
he ordained "elders" (plural) "in every church"
(Acts 14:23).
These men were the pastors, bishops (overseers), and elders of their
congregations.Perhaps if "The Pastor" mentioned above had served with other pastors,
there would be less disruption over his leaving or staying.
Perhaps if he was designated an "evangelist," he and others
would realize that his work, in that capacity, is not permanent in one location
(2 Tim 4:5;
Acts 8:5,26;
21:8). 2)
Paul teaches, by inspiration of God, that congregational matters are best settled internally.
He rebuked the church in Corinth for airing their dirty laundry before the world in the judicial courts.
Among other things Paul said, "I say this to your shame.Is it so, that
there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge
between his brethren"
(1 Cor 6:5)?
Indeed, elders should be equipped to render a judgment between members
in conflict, but so should any "wise man" who has no stake in either
side. 3)Preachers who enter a congregation looking for supporters, likely have
their own best interest at heart. An evangelist should never move
into a congregation thinking he must stay until "such and such" a
time. He should realize that he is there to preach the word of God to as many as will listen.
After a certain amount of time it is normal for him to carry on his work in other places.
Men like Paul, Silas, Barnabus, John Mark, Timothy, Titus and Apollos,
in their work as evangelists, never stayed in one place very long.
They preached the gospel, appointed elders, trained teachers and moved on.They
held not the idol of covetousness and convenience in their hearts. 4)Majority rule in congregational
decisions is simply not Biblical. The
elders of that church best direct the choice of whether a church should support
an evangelist. They are charged with feeding the flock of God
(Acts 20:28;
1 Pet 5:2).
These men of wisdom do not close their ears to the thoughts and concerns
of their members, but direct the congregation in a harmonious decision.
In the absence of elders, the same procedure
should be followed. Finally, "church
constitutions" were unheard of in the early church.
The word of God determines when to collect
money from the church and how to use it. When Christians lay by in store on the
first day of the week, that money no longer belongs to them, it belongs to the Lord
(Acts 5:4).
These funds are to be used in ways He designates, i.e.,
supporting preaching/teaching, and care for the indigent members among them an
in other places
(1 Cor 9:1-18;
16:1-4). These are the kinds of problems that arise when religious people follow men and human
tradition rather than the word of the Lord. It can happen any place at any time, but when
people heed the Lord and His apostles, such problems do not exist...for long.