But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9
At times I have really messed things up. I have gotten way into a project and realized I should have called a professional. At other times, I called a professional and realized I could have done the job, better, cheaper and quicker. What to do?
Centuries after Jesus joined His Father in heaven, after Christians went from a persecuted sect to the “in” church, we divided our people into professionals and amateurs. It wasn’t in the manual and was, I think, a huge mistake. We called some clergy and some “non.” We came up with “full time ministry” and “paid staff” and “ordination.” Most of us became part-time, uncalled, unpaid, bench warmers. We sent some off for special schooling. We dressed them differently. We let the pros sit up front where they could be seen and admired. We trusted them with the manual and the mission. Church became a building where the professionals lived and worked, and the rest of us visited once a week. None of this is in the book.
Don’t get me wrong. I get it. There are “positions” within the body of Christ, but those are based on giftings, not compensation, time served or commitment. I’ve read Ephesians 4:11: “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,” Every follower has a gift and a calling to full time use of it. Dividing us into professionals and amateurs has caused problems for both groups and for the church in general.
The professionals get separated from the masses. They are expected to carry the spiritual heavy lifting. They get to think they are in charge. (I thought Jesus was the shepherd, but what do I know.) The began to believe that since their existence wasn’t in the book, that some things in the book might be wrong or at least dangerous in the hands of amateurs and should be kept to professionals and that it was okay to add stuff that wasn’t in the book, because, they are, after all, professional. After a while, they valued the traditions, they created, and their own reason as much as what was in the manual. It seemed like a good thing, but soon the pros realized that they really didn’t have it all together and couldn’t really do it all and really were in over their heads. They had made a mess of it and couldn’t admit it and risk losing their professional status.
The amateurs seemed to benefit. They got to live their lives. Faith became a part-time business. Show up once a week and drop something in the collection and you were good. No need to know God or even know much about Him. No need to worry too much about the rules. A professional could forgive any slip ups and the professionals had made the rules way too complicated for amateurs to understand anyway. But deep inside, the amateurs knew they were missing out on the really good things, like joy and service and, well, God.
The church turned out to be less than Jesus planned. Ninety percent of the people lost their “commissions.” God’s desire to break through the curtain and know each one was disrupted by a system of representative Christianity. Energy and talent and love went unused. Pride and control and heresy crept in. The marvelous light was seriously dimmed.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You are chosen and royal and holy and very peculiar. You are responsible for your faith, your walk, and your life. You need to follow Jesus directly. You have been gifted. You will be called to account as to how you used it or if you ever even discovered it. The professionals need to be rescued from their cells and the amateurs commissioned to their calling.
It won’t happen for everyone. It just matters that it happens for you.
You’re not a professional. None of us are. But He is and that’s enough. Together, with Him back in charge we can be His Body as He intended.
Be blessed.
Nick
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