Pauline Reflections 23 - 2nd May 2009

Whenever someone says, I belong to Paul, and another, I belong to Apollos, are we not merely human? What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is any thing, but only God, who causes the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:4- 8.

The Corinthians evaluated their spiritual leaders by human standards and exaggerated their importance. Paul views the role of spiritual leaders as ministers, literally as servants meant to serve the community. Thus ministers should always use their gifts received from the Lord for the purpose of service. “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts but the same Spirit, there are different forms of service but the same Lord, there are different workings but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.” 1 Corinthians 12:4-6. 

Paul, in these verses, warns us not to put ministers in the place of God. God is greater than the ministers, the minister is in the service of God and the community. He who plants and he who waters are one, sharing the same mission, both are employed by the one Master. They are both engaged in the work of evangelization, they both work together in promoting God’s glory and the salvation of souls, and they themselves stand in need of redemption. 

The problem is very commonly seen today, especially among television evangelists, who appear to preach themselves and a gospel of prosperity, focused on wealth and wellbeing. They do this assuming so-much authority and almost speaking as if they were God. These so called ministers seem to command respect from their flock and are so highly esteemed in a society with so much affluence. Worst still, members of their congregations are divided as they tend to take sides with different pastors judging them on human standards. I wonder if this is the right attitude and approach to the preaching the good news of Jesus Crucified. I wonder if this is not similar to the situation Paul seeks to correct in Corinth. 

Prayer

Lord God, enlighten all ministers to be faithful preachers of your gospel -  not for vain glory, nor for promoting themselves, but for the glory of your name and the salvation of souls. Amen.