Pride in the Pulpit

Let us listen to the warnings heralded by John Angell James back in 1828.

Whatever leads us to think highly of ourselves in matters of religion, and to despise others, whether it be the distinctions of earthly greatness, the practice of religious duties, or the independence of our mode of thinking—is opposed to the spirit of Christian love.

 Superior LIGHT on the subject of revealed truth is no unusual occasion of pride. We are all susceptible to it:  The Arminian pharisee dwells with fondness on the goodness of his heart; the Antinomian, with equal haughtiness, values himself on the clearness of his head; and the Socinian, as far from humility as either of them, is inflated with a conceit of the strength of his reason, and its elevation above vulgar prejudices—while not a few moderate Calvinists regard with complacency their sagacity in discovering the happy medium.

As men are more proud of their understanding than of their disposition, it is very probable that religious opinions are more frequently the cause of conceit and self-importance, than anything else which could be mentioned. "It is knowledge," says the apostle, "that puffs up." "We are the men and wisdom will die with us"—is the temper of multitudes.

Religious giftedness is sometimes the ground of self-admiration. Fluency and fervor in public prayer, ability to converse on doctrinal subjects, especially if accompanied by a ready utterance in public, have all through the influence of Satan and the depravity of our nature, led to the vile pride which we are now condemning.

None are in more danger of this than the ministers of religion—it is the besetting sin of their office. There is no one gift which offers so strong a temptation both to vanity and to pride—as that of public speaking. If the orator really excels, and is successful, he is the immediate spectator of his success, and has not even to wait until he has finished his discourse; for although the decorum of public worship will not allow of audible tokens of applause, it does of visible ones—the look of interest, the tear of penitence or of sympathy, the smile of joy, the deep impression on the mind, the death-like stillness, cannot be concealed—all seem like a tribute of admiration to the presiding spirit of the scene; and then the compliments which are conveyed to his ear, after all the silent plaudits which have reached his eye—are equally calculated to puff him up with pride. No men are more in danger of this sin than the ministers of the Gospel; none should watch more sleeplessly against it.

Are you proud of the brilliancy of your genius, the extent of your learning, the acuteness of your understanding, your power to argue or speak publicly?

Do any of these things form the object of self-esteem and the reasons of that disdain which you may pour upon all who you feel are inferior to yourself in mental endowments?

Do you believe that those who differ from you on non-essential doctrines are confused; that you have cornered the market on all truths?

Do you admire yourself as a member of the only true church, and as the covenant people of God?

Do you fancy yourself able to discern who are members of the true church and who are not simply based upon whether they agree with you and hold your convictions regarding secondary doctrines.

Do you boast inwardly of belonging to the true church and look with contempt on all who belong to a different ecclesiastical order or denomination?

Do you pride yourself on the greater purity of your ecclesiastical order?

I see some of these characteristics taking hold and growing over the past 15 years in some of the most highly respected and gifted men of our time and it concerns me. When I attempt to sound a warning call, I am told things like, "You should not criticize him. God is using him to help and encourage many".  Perhaps it is because no one cares enough about these men to exhort them, that the weeds of pride have almost consumed them.   Or is it more the case that people are more concerned about what others might say if they dare to question the great Dr. so-and-so?

Again I will say, this attitude of defending a man against criticism, is dangerous and actually feeds the pride that so easily besets those who have gained highly respected positions in the ministry.

(Reposted from 2010)

The Gift of Administration

Is your church lacking people in leadership who have the gift of administration? When a church tries to function without one or more people in leadership who have the gift of administration there will be confusion, conflict, misunderstandings; and, often times, chaos and hurt feelings. Bottom line; it will be a dysfunctional church.

Some signs that your church needs people with this gift would be:

• A lack of resources available for members which are accurate and kept updated on a regular basis as things change in the body (i.e., ministry contact lists) 
• Literature composed, produced and printed with typos and errors. 
• Lack of proper communication to the entire membership regarding church needs, events, meetings, and announcements. 
• The same individuals doing all the work, all the time. 
• A lack of knowledge of the gifts of all of the members of the church and the inability to effectively use the members to most edify the body and bring Glory to God. 
• Members who feel invisible, unloved and insignificant. 

The gift of administration is really needed in the Christian community. Paul spoke many times about the church as a body with many essential parts, each being necessary for the body to function wholly. People with the gift of administration may well hold the key to pulling all the various parts together in harmony. Being able to absorb detail, organize and delegate are traits of this gift, and these qualities, when employed effectively, can be helpful in allowing the Holy Spirit’s work in one committee to compliment, rather than conflict with, the work of another. The instincts for what comes first and what follows, who can plug in where, and how to arrange things so that everything fits into the schedule or that everything gets done are sorely needed in a busy church environment. This is a wonderful spiritual gift to have.

With this gift you can help the church get in order and stay in order. That orderliness surely pleases God for he ordered the whole world.

The gift of Administration: the special ability that God gives for understanding clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular unit of the Body of Christ and the ability to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of these goals. The ability to organize and guide human activities in such a way that Christ’s program is carried out.

As a spiritual gift, administration has to do with guiding the affairs of the church and kingdom. The person with this gift has management ability. The administrator accepts the goals set by others and devises and executes plans to accomplish these goals. A sense for organization is evident. Often a person with this gift is characterized as able to direct and motivate people and coordinate their activities. Often, but not always, people with the gift of administration also have the gift of leadership.

A person with this gift will take an organized approach to most undertakings, and this attribute can be valuable in planning, coordinating, directing, supervising, or in committee work. Some would refer to this type of individual as a “how to” person. One might expect a person with this gift to enjoy preparing agendas and reports to help a committee become more productive. Expect that careful attention will be paid to even small details in planning an activity. Someone with the gift of administration is characterized as one who takes satisfaction in a well-run organization.

When a church tries to function without one or more people in leadership with this gift, there will be confusion, conflict, misunderstandings; and, often times, chaos and hurt feelings.  If this is true in your church.  Pray!   Pray that God will send you those with this gift!

I grow so weary at times...

The more I learn of the controversies that have plagued the Church throughout history, the more I realize that we are like mice on that little wheel in their cage; going round and round, repeating the same arguments--over and over and over again. I am beginning to think that many have fallen in love with the squeaking noise that the wheel makes.

I was reading "Differences in Judgement about Water Baptism, No Bar to Communion" by John Bunyon published in 1673 and discovered that the arguments presented in this 40 page publication are the very same arguments one may read by the men of today. Well, actually they are more versed then the arguments of today (on both sides).

John Bunyon answers a book written by the Baptists entitled "Some Serious Reflections on that Part of Mr. Bunyon's Confession of Faith..." he begins his answer by saying:

"But before I enter the body of your book, give me leave a little to discourse you about your preamble to the same, wherein are two miscarriages unworthy your pretended seriousness, because void of love and humility. The first is, In that you closely disdain my person because of my low descent among men, stigmatizing me for a person of that rank, that need not to be heeded or attended unto."

Here was the remark in their preamble that Bunyon is referring to:

"Who is there that reads these reviling of Bunyon for his poverty and mean descent, but must be struck with the unsearchable wisdom of the Almighty. The salvation of the church requires that God should be manifest in the flesh."

He answers:

What is it that gives a man reverence with you, I know not; but for certain, He that despiseth the poor reproacheth his Maker; yet, a poor man is better than a liar. To have gay clothing, or gold rings, or the persons that wear them in administration; or to be partial in your judgement, or respects, for the sake, or upon the account of, flesh and blood, doubtless convicteth you to be of the law a transgressor, and not without partiality, in the midst of your seeming sanctity.

What need you, before you have shewed one syllable of a reasonable argument in opposition to what I assert, thus trample my person, my gifts, and grace, have I any, so disdainfully under your feet? What kind of a YOU am I? And why is my rank so mean, that the most gracious and godly among you. may not duly and soberly consider of what I have said? Was it not the art of the false apostles of old to say thus--To bespatter a man, that his doctrine might be disregarded".

As one reads through the 40 pages of statements made by the other Baptist men and Bunyon's answers to their arguments; one will find that they are looking at themselves; reflected in either Bunyon or in the other men.

As you read (if you choose to read), ask yourself "Who seems to have a heart and soul more closely knit with, and concerned for: the honor of Christ's name and the love for the brethren? Who seems to exhibit more of the Fruits of the Spirit?". Reflect also on the life of John Bunyon.