Some have suggested that the death of a religious movement begins when a paid clerical class is established. This is when volunteers are eventually replaced with a paid leadership staff. What was once voluntary becomes vocational.
At the other end, some churches have decided that any paid staff is tantamount to clergy, so they have come up with various ways to pay, or not to pay, preachers depending on their current convictions on the subject.
One thing that is for certain, if it takes payment to get a Christian to do the good that is in front of them, something is wrong. The greatest men and women of God I know are first and foremost volunteers for Jesus. If any of these happen to be “paid,” it is only because other brethren have had the good sense to “support them in their work for the church.”
Established congregations often have paid workers. They begin with a Preacher, followed by a Youth Minister, and if big enough, they may add a Family Minister and a Worship Minister. And, given the autonomous nature of the church, congregations tend to decide how many paid workers they want.
For the church to spread we must encourage brethren to start congregations in their homes. These, of course, are the places where it’s always “All hands on deck!” It is all about bringing visitors, putting out chairs and songbooks, potlucks, one-on-one Bible studies, picnics, and the regular Sunday and midweek meetings.
The inevitable move into church buildings doesn’t diminish the workloads of the faithful, but we do find that subsequent generations (usually for honourable reasons), do hire staff to serve in roles previously occupied by volunteers.
The apostle Paul thought nothing of getting work to support himself and other evangelists. But he also received gifts from brethren to support him in his work. He tells us that brothers who have devoted their lives to preaching and teaching should be supported by the church.
However, any money paid to brethren who form a “Clergy” should be stopped. However, all money given to a brother who devotes his life to the preaching of the gospel should be encouraged.
Such a brother will preach anyway!
John Staiger
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