Reversing the Reformation: A Present Problem

As we remember the Reformation of the church that began in the sixteenth century, it is worth considering, not just nostalgically, whether the state of the church today is in need of Reformation (hint: it does). We could go through a number of the different types of issues that arose during the preceding centuries and were addressed in the Reformation. We could address any of the “Five Solas,” or Scripture’s authority for ordering our worship and our organization or the importance of the Lord’s Supper. As tempting as it would be to address many of those topics, my goal is to speak to one very particular item that I think Luther was helpful in recovering and that we (evangelical Protestants today) have real need for reformation: vocation.

In the preceding centuries (i.e., what has been called the “Middle Ages”), the idea of “vocation” had been associated with some sort of calling to ecclesiastical office. In the Reformation and the writings of Luther in particular, the value of every calling was highlighted as obedience to God. The godly baker and barber was no less able to serve God in his work than anyone else. In fact, Luther would sometimes point to the fact that some of those who imagined themselves to be particularly special were in fact operating on presumption. The Lord never ordained the office of “monk,” yet those who were monks thought quite highly of themselves. God did, on the other hand, give the work of being a wife and mother. This meant, according to Luther, that the wife and mother could be more confident that she was working according to the calling of God than the monk could.

Consider the situation today. Think of your own church and ask yourself, “Who are the people that are doing ‘the Lord’s work’?” Sure, you might immediately think of the elders and deacons. That one is easy and there is a Word of God for those offices. But think beyond that. Then ask yourself, “Is that a position ordained by God? Is that person working according to the Word of God?” You might then extend the question out to ‘the’ church, that is, to Christianity more broadly. Maybe you can think of particular “positions” in evangelicalism. We have had a proliferation of titles and positions, as though God’s Word is insufficient. Is the women’s ministry director doing the work of the Lord more than the wife who loves her husband and children, works at home, and gives the devil no opportunity for slander? Is the director of “ABC” Parachurch organization greater than the husband who provides for his family, honors those over him and under him in the workplace, and meditates on the Word of God morning and evening?

It is difficult for me not to see the correspondences between the current proliferation of “titles” in evangelicalism, both in local churches and in the broader “evangelical world,” and think, “this greatly undermines one of the great insights of Martin Luther.” There is great joy, freedom, and peace that comes with recognizing the value and dignity for those who simply seek to serve the Lord in the station in which they were called, to love God and neighbor in thankfulness for the salvation received in Christ. Monks, directors, and consultants are no better in the eyes of God than wives, workers, and school teachers.

7 Years of Ministry

As of today, I have been serving in ordained gospel ministry for seven years. In fact, I was ordained at Kosmosdale Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, and just this past weekend they invited me back to teach on the covenant of works for their men’s retreat. While I haven’t been consistent in this practice, I have tried in the past to list a few things I have learned in my time in ministry (for example, two years ago I had five things on a list). Here are seven things about ministry for you to remember as you serve in gospel ministry. These are simply reflective thoughts, and I would agree with things I’ve included in the past, so don’t think of this as the list.

1. Christ is Sufficient

The fundamental truth for all of life, and that includes ministry, is the fact that Christ is sufficient. Before we are ministers, we are Christians, and Christians depend wholly on Jesus. Christ ought to be the object of our adoration, our pleasure, and our hopes. Not only personally, but also in ministry, Christ is sufficient. As our example once said, “I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.” Your people need Christ, even when they say they want something else. They need Christ in the sermons, in the hymns, in the prayers, in the pastoral visits, in the hallway conversations. And Christ really is sufficient.

2. Scripture is Sufficient

It is difficult to count the ways Scripture’s sufficiency may be compromised in ministry. Certainly, a chief way it may be compromised would be by viewing it as insufficient in the task of preaching. But threats to the sufficiency of Scripture appear in ministerial work in particular. What will you do as a church? What activities will you establish? What will your church calendar look like? Scripture is sufficient.

3. Problems are Everywhere

There is no perfect church. This is a simple statement that everyone can smile and nod to, but it is a reality that we must remember, especially in the ministry. It is often the case that brothers assume going into a church with “X” characteristic would make things really easy. For example, and this is one I hear often, it may be said, “If I just get into a confessional church, then everything will be easier.” Now, there is truth to that on some issues (you can freely speak about the Sabbath or the doctrine of God’s gracious election, or etc.), but there are going to be different things to work through, be wise about, and speak carefully. The task of pastoring is basically the same in every context.

4. Christians Love Jesus

This is crucial to remember: Christians love Jesus. The reason it is important to remember this is because, when things become difficult in relationships, leadership, or other areas, it can be easy to grow cynical. Be on guard against assuming that Christians don’t love Jesus. “If they don’t agree to go with me in this area, I don’t even know if they are truly Christian.” I once heard of a church in which the pastors wanted to start a school in the church, and the congregation was resistant. The pastors accused the church of rejecting him like the wicked men who led rebellion in the wilderness, and the church was split. It may be the case that they really were rebellious (I’m not privy to the details of the events myself), but ministers must be cautious about these sort of assumptions.

5. Christians Want to Follow Jesus

Tied to the previous point, not only do Christians love Jesus, but they want to follow him. Again, it would be easy to become distracted by the particular issues and forget that our key task is to lead people to follow Christ. In fact, as hard as it may be, ministers must ask themselves, “Do I want the congregation to do this because it’s simply something I want, or is it because I think it would be more consistent with their desire to follow Jesus?” This takes us back to the first two points as well. Christ and Scripture are sufficient, so the answer to this question should come from Scripture itself. I think Jesus would have us gather on the Lord’s Day, sing his praises, offer prayers to him and in his name according to the pattern he gave us (Matt 6), hear his Word, commune with him and his saints, and give for the relief of his people. Do I want our congregation to do this? Sure, and we do, but that’s not really the point. The point is that it is how together we follow Christ. We must assume that those in the membership want to follow Jesus. They are not Saul kicking against the goads, but believers who have taken up their cross.

6. Unity is a Key Theme in the Scriptures (esp. the NT)

About a year ago, I stumbled across a book by Anthony Burgess called Advancing Christian Unity. I had already been making my way through Philippians, but reading that book caused me to realize again just how much the book is focused on unity. Of course, it’s fairly common knowledge that Philippians is about humility and “other-focus,” so it wasn’t “new” per se. As I reflected on it, I realized just how much the apostolic message is call to unity. Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians all make clear statements about the unity of Jews and Gentiles in the gospel. First and Second Corinthians push us toward unity in very memorable ways. Philippians, of course, includes much content that exhorts us toward a Christ-like (Phil 2) other-oriented humble unity. It’s not just Paul. First John is where we read that you can’t be said to love God if you don’t love your brother. Third John offers something of a berating to those who did not seek unity regarding the missionary brothers. What’s my point? If “pursue unity” isn’t a large part of the minister’s message, he has likely missed a key component of New Testament teaching. As Protestants, it is easy to leave “that unity stuff” to the Papists, who make much of unity. But we must be cautious about abandoning Scripture’s teaching simply because someone else “messed it up.”

7. Doctrinal Compromise is Always a Threat

As we pursue unity in love, and as we assume the best of those to whom we minister, we must remember that doctrinal compromise is always a threat. Compromise does not often come because someone told us to abandon our position. In fact, it often comes because, in gentleness, we soften it. We believe in believer’s baptism, but this person who was baptized as an infant is such a sweet and evident believer. We believe in God’s sovereignty in salvation, but this kind saint is really struggling with seeing how it is consistent with their view of a loving God. We believe Scripture’s sufficiency, but these brothers or sisters want something that “isn’t that bad.” One of the greatest fears I have has been that I would compromise something I believe to be true simply because it is easier and does not rock the boat to go with the alternative.

Conclusion

In the past seven years, the Lord has taught me a lot, but, more than that, he has proven over and over the truthfulness of things he taught me before. Did I already know Christ is sufficient, Scripture is sufficient, that problems exist everywhere, Christians love Jesus and want to follow him, that unity is a key theme of Scripture and doctrinal compromise a constant threat? Of course I did. Nevertheless, these things have remained truths I have found proven as I continue to pray, read and study Scripture, and do the work ministry. I pray the Lord will continue to prove these truths to me for however long he decides to use this vessel of clay to carry forth his rich treasures.