The Preacher Is Not the Most Important Member of the Church
Every member is important.
Sometimes I hear Christians say things that communicate that the growth or success of the church is dependent upon the preacher and his abilities.
Sometimes even preachers say such things.
While the preaching and teaching of God’s Word are essential to the growth and success of the church (Luke 8:4–15; 2 Timothy 3:16–4:2), the preacher is not the most important member of the Lord’s church.
Certainly, I am thankful for the opportunity to focus on preaching the most important message in the world — and I’m also thankful for those who encourage other preachers and me.
But we need to remember that the preacher does not belong on a pedestal above everyone else. The preacher is not the leader of the congregation — or the “paster” of the church. To think of the preacher in this way is unbiblical. It’s also unhealthy for the preacher and the church.
The Reminder to the Churches in Rome
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:3–5)
The apostle Paul wrote to the churches of Christ in Rome and reminded them that although each member of the Lord’s body had different functions — they were all important.
He gave a similar reminder to the church in Corinth (1 Corinthians 12:12–27).
No Christian ought “to think of himself more highly than he ought to think.” As Christians — members of the body of Christ — we are all important. The Christian who can give large sums of money is no more important than the poor widow who encourages others. The preacher is no more important than the ladies who teach the babies in the cradle-roll classroom.
Every Christian matters. The service of every Christian is essential to the Lord’s church.
Don’t think too highly of yourself. At the same time, realize your service does matter.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 15:58)
Paul wrote that to the church in Corinth — every Christian in Corinth.
To every Christian — “your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Your service for the Lord matters.
