For some time, I've been cynical about the wisdom of having paid ministers. In my own fellowship (Churches of Christ) I've witnessed too many instances in which the paid minister system seemed to effect little more than a separation of accountability and authority, in which the minister is the sole bearer of the former and elders (or, people who the elders listen to) are the sole holders of the latter. The result (it has seemed to me) is a system that frequently chews up and spits out good men--permanently demoralizing them from future ministerial service. In short, the last few years have witnessed a growing conviction that there was little to commend, and much to condemn, this system.
This morning, however, I found cause to rethink that position. Our Bible class teacher was expounding on the Old Testament backgrounds to the book of Hebrews. In the midst of this, he commented upon the rather precarious status of Levites under the Old Covenant. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites inherited no land of their own. Instead, they were dispersed throughout the lands of the other tribes. As a landless group in an agrarian society, Levites were essentially forced to live off of the sacrifices made by their brothers. Their very survival was tied in significant tangible ways to the spiritual lives of the other eleven tribes. If the rest of Israel failed to be spiritually sensitive--or perhaps more relevant to us--if the other tribes decided that they didn't like the messages being given them by the Levitical priesthood and decided to withhold their gifts--then the Levites would suffer the consequences. Thus the Levites were called upon to be people of faith ultimately relying upon God (rather than their fellow Israelites) for sustenance, and thereby to model for the rest of Israel what such a life of faith would look like. Paradoxically, it was precisely when those around them were most immature and abusive, that these aspects of the Levitical calling could be most powerfully demonstrated.
It occurred to me, that the position of the Levites under the Old Testament was (at least in some respects) comparable to the situation of professional ministers in Churches of Christ. Very frequently, our ministers "have no land of their own." They live in parsonages. Though never a particularly wealthy lot--and quite poorly compensated compared to their counterparts in many other churches--it's not at all uncommon for Church of Christ ministers to:
Put like that, some similarities between the precarious position of the Old Testament priest and the Church of Christ minister in 2013 seem obvious. Furthermore, if the position of the Levitical priesthood was directly ordained by God to serve holy purposes (and I believe it was); Then it stands to reason that it's at least possible that similar relationships between Christian ministers and their congregations might serve similarly holy purposes today. Perhaps the dominant ministerial system in Churches of Christ is not as devoid of benefit, as I have lately assumed. Of course, this would not justify the abuses of ministers; But perhaps a realization of their roles in the light of the Levites might better equip potential ministers for the realities of congregational work, as well as enable a more helpful self-examination to determine if they possess the faith and reliance upon God necessary to persevere in such a work.
What are your thoughts?
This morning, however, I found cause to rethink that position. Our Bible class teacher was expounding on the Old Testament backgrounds to the book of Hebrews. In the midst of this, he commented upon the rather precarious status of Levites under the Old Covenant. Unlike the other tribes, the Levites inherited no land of their own. Instead, they were dispersed throughout the lands of the other tribes. As a landless group in an agrarian society, Levites were essentially forced to live off of the sacrifices made by their brothers. Their very survival was tied in significant tangible ways to the spiritual lives of the other eleven tribes. If the rest of Israel failed to be spiritually sensitive--or perhaps more relevant to us--if the other tribes decided that they didn't like the messages being given them by the Levitical priesthood and decided to withhold their gifts--then the Levites would suffer the consequences. Thus the Levites were called upon to be people of faith ultimately relying upon God (rather than their fellow Israelites) for sustenance, and thereby to model for the rest of Israel what such a life of faith would look like. Paradoxically, it was precisely when those around them were most immature and abusive, that these aspects of the Levitical calling could be most powerfully demonstrated.
It occurred to me, that the position of the Levites under the Old Testament was (at least in some respects) comparable to the situation of professional ministers in Churches of Christ. Very frequently, our ministers "have no land of their own." They live in parsonages. Though never a particularly wealthy lot--and quite poorly compensated compared to their counterparts in many other churches--it's not at all uncommon for Church of Christ ministers to:
- receive salaries in the $20K - $40K range, with no benefits or insurance of any kind,
- perpetually labor in a state subject to sudden termination for no reason and with no legal recourse in the event of abuse, and frequently under immense pressure to preach messages that are comforting, approved, convenient, or otherwise enabling of established congregational pathologies, rather than proclaiming Godly (but unpalatable) truths.
Put like that, some similarities between the precarious position of the Old Testament priest and the Church of Christ minister in 2013 seem obvious. Furthermore, if the position of the Levitical priesthood was directly ordained by God to serve holy purposes (and I believe it was); Then it stands to reason that it's at least possible that similar relationships between Christian ministers and their congregations might serve similarly holy purposes today. Perhaps the dominant ministerial system in Churches of Christ is not as devoid of benefit, as I have lately assumed. Of course, this would not justify the abuses of ministers; But perhaps a realization of their roles in the light of the Levites might better equip potential ministers for the realities of congregational work, as well as enable a more helpful self-examination to determine if they possess the faith and reliance upon God necessary to persevere in such a work.
What are your thoughts?
