Preach the gospel the Lord has said. And the congregation knew they must get to it. So, they searched and found the perfect man. And said, “Now we can let the preacher do it.”
Bring in the crowds and preach the truth that’s our work and we’ll be true to it. But we work hard all day and we’re tired at night. And for what he is getting paid, “Let the preacher do it.”
They needed to visit the sick and seek the lost. They needed to pray and everyone would pursue it. But this man they hired seemed to do a good job. So they decided, “Just let the preacher do it.”
There’s a worksheet on the bulletin board. Every day there are more things added to it. But they have homes of their own to take care of. And with all his free time, “Just let the preacher do it.”
Someone has set up a Bible study. He’s not sure he’ll have time to do it. Anyway, isn’t that what we hired the man for? It’s his job to study. “Just let the preacher do it.”
Well, the day finally came when the Lord returned. The congregation waiting for their reward true to it. But a voice from heaven said, “Just one person can come in, and guess what, I think I’ll let the preacher do it.”
-author unknown.
There are ministers of the gospel who are all too familiar with a segment of brethren who believe they pay/hire the preacher to do the work of the Christians in the congregation. We might label this a “proxy” position that is manmade and found to be in opposition to Peter’s statement by inspiration of the Holy Spirit when he wrote that Christians are to be a “spiritual priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Many churches exhibit this mindset. I have had it said more than once in churches I have been associated with that “we pay you to do that” when referring to teaching the lost, preaching, visiting, being involved in everything that is going on within the congregation, etc.
I am thankful to God that elderships exist that allow the preacher to be the preacher and do the work of an evangelist without the unscriptural trappings of a hireling mentality. I am blessed to be serving under an eldership that understands the organization of the church, the role of elders, deacons, ministers and members in the work of a local congregation!
Below is a catalog of tasks I kept track of in one of my past works where duties were assigned continually (no secretary).
Sermon planning, preparation & delivery. Bible classes every Sunday and Wednesday. Type, proof, copy & fold the bulletin each week. Announcements on Wednesdays. Invitation each Wednesday. Prepare attendance charts for deacon. Type and submit a work schedule each month. Schedule men to give invitation one Wednesday each month. Pick up church mail from Post Office. Handle all church correspondence. Reserve hotel rooms for visiting preachers. Personal correspondence. Preparation for lectureships. Prepare ladies day booklets. Prepare men’s retreat booklets. Write, copy & mail advertisements for gospel meetings, VBS and other events. Teach in VBS. Keep detailed work journal for elders. Visit. Conduct funerals. Officiate weddings. Attend business meetings. Elder-preacher meetings. Order tracts and maintain tract rack. Order Bible class materials. Order supplies as necessary and when requested. Study. Monday for the Master (primarily building & grounds work). Prepare and copy sermon notes for each sermon. Responsible for maintaining copier. Write bulletin article each week. Upload bulletin and update web site each week. Write and send cards. Maintain church library. Knock doors for VBS and gospel meetings. Organize and maintain resource room. Office hours nine to five Tuesday through Friday. Coordinate House to House Heart to Heart (write articles, advertising & answer material requests). Order & promote Bible correspondence courses. Answer Bible questions. Research & copy material for members with questions on Bible subjects. Open building before church services. Gather and take out trash each week at building. Tape sermons. Announcements each night of gospel meetings. Receive preachers and take them to where they are staying during gospel meeting. World Bible school teacher. Set up tables, chairs as needed for potluck dinners. Send tract requests to those who request them. Preach in gospel meetings. Speak at youth rallies. Maintain life group lists. Schedule preachers for gospel meetings. Teach lunchtime Bible study periodically at neighboring congregation. Distribute tracts and literature at area hospitals. Preacher’s wife takes care of all baptistery garments, towels from kitchen, etc.
