Thoughts on Christian Living Book #2 by Dr. W. A. Dillard - HTML preview

CLERGY/LAITY

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

Sometime in centuries past, some denominations began to reference church members in the extra-scriptural categories of clergy and laity. I find no such distinctions being made in the New Testament. In fact Jesus warned against such as they are an emulation of the world in an authority structure. But some will insist that they are lay members, and think it strange that such terms are not well received. Of course, there was one preacher who readily agreed with the distinction stating that there were a lot of lay members in his church: some lay here; some lay there, and many lay out.

However on a more serious note, such distinctions have tended to divide responsibilities un-scripturally. The bottom line of it all is that folks in the pew are led to believe that being an inactive spectator is their rightful part in church activities. Leave the dissemination of the Word to the trained minister. So, the average church member may show up at worship time, sometimes; perhaps sing with the congregation, put an offering in the plate, sit dutifully while the preacher presents his well-studied homily, then leave with an almost broken arm from patting himself on the back for being such a good Christian, maybe even uttering an occasional complaint because the preacher seems to be attracting too few people.

Hummmm! This may be a little harsh, but I am certain that the Great Commission, Matthew 28:18-20 was not given to ministers, but to the church. Moreover, one cannot divorce a church from its membership; therefore, it is the responsibility of every member of the church to busy himself, according to his talents. Forget clergy/laity, the church is one. Every believer should awaken to the thrill of understanding Bible truth, and the joy of bringing others into the kingdom.

In church there are very strange creatures,

Real Christians, all true Bible teachers,

Long hours they give,

That lost souls might live,

Their lot is the playing field--not the

bleachers!

William A. Dillard

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