Articles
Who is your Minister?
How do you respond when asked “who is the MINISTER at Gabbert St.”? The religious
world gives this title only to those who are hired to preach from the pulpit or perform other
special functions for the congregation in a salaried capacity. But such is not God’s definition.
God’s plan is that all Christians be ministers and preachers.
In the New Testament, “preacher” simply means a herald or messenger, and denotes the
duty of all believers to proclaim the “Good News” (ie, Gospel) of the resurrected Jesus as we go
about our daily lives (Acts 8:4). In fact, the major role of the full-time evangelists is teaching and
encouraging those of us within the church to teach others, rather than to teach the lost world
directly (2 Timothy 2:2; 4:2-5). And the world often responds more readily to our “preaching
from the pews” than to that from the pulpit. The Greek word from which we get our English
“minister” is more often translated “serve” (1 Peter 4:10) or “servant” (Matthew 23:11; Romans
16:1) to identify all followers of Christ as His “slave” (1 Corinthians 7:22-24). Only in a few
instances does it refer to one appointed to a specific task (1 Corinthians 9:13; 1 Timothy 3:8). No
man alone can take Monticello for Christ – nor did God intend it that way. Each of us must do
our part, not just now but always. Ask yourself: “What kind of sermon am I preaching by my
life”, and “What service am I ministering to those around me”?
“Who is your minister or preacher”? In a very real sense, each and every member of the
Gabbert St. family should be able to answer boldly “I am”! by Claude Thompson
White Rock church of Christ, Dallas, TX
(edited for location, P.M.)
Personal Thought: Following is the first verse and chorus of an “old” song rarely sung these
days, perhaps because we would rather let others do the work of the Lord.
There is much to do, there’s work on ev’ry hand,
Jesus calls for reapers, I must active be,
Here am I, Lord, send me, Here am I, Ready at Thy bidding, Lord, send me.
Hark! The cry for help comes ringing thru the land;
What wilt Thou, O Master, here am, send me.
