“I
SHEW UNTO YOU A MORE EXCELLENT WAY.”
In most churches, everything is done in accordance
with by-laws, constitutions, covenants, rules, regulations, and the vote of the
monthly business meeting. The church assigns the pastor a time for vacation,
tells him when and where he can go out for meetings, who he can have in his
pulpit, and assigns his visitation duties. The pastor and deacons do not dare
do anything without first taking a vote. These things have come to pass because
pastors are looked upon as hirelings, (Too often this attitude is justified!),
and because there is no bond of love between the pastor and his people, and
among the people in the congregation.
There
is a better way of doing things. The
A pastor who loves
Christ, loves his Church, and loves the Gospel, does not need rules and
regulations to motivate him and keep him in line. Deacons who love Christ and
one another do not need a set of rules and duties assigned to them. Church
members who love one another and trust their God-given leaders do not need to
vote on their actions. God’s servants will make their decisions and perform
their work to the best of their ability for the glory of Christ, the good of
his people, and the furtherance of the gospel.
All
of us working together, being united by love and trust, and seeking the glory
of Christ, carry on the work of the ministry and fulfill the will of God as a
family. Love and Trust, truly, this is “a more excellent way”. We have found it
to be so, and we cherish it dearly. Regenerated men understand it, and rejoice
in it. But it seems to be a waste of time to try explaining it to others.
Let
others do what they must, we have tasted the sweetness of brotherly love; we
cannot and will not return to carnal rules and regulations.