Skip to main content

The Son of a Preacher Man

"The only boy who could ever reach me was the son of a preacher man." These words were first sung by Dusty Springfield and recorded in 1968 on her album "Dusty in Memphis." The song invokes a romantic relationship,but the words are representative of many people's understanding of religious hierarchy. That is to say that many people look exclusively to preachers, priests, and clergy for their spiritual growth. But is this really what God intends?

The history of spiritual leadership throughout the bible evidences the great blessings that can come through spiritual leadership. However spiritual leadership can and should come in different forms and capacities. This is perhaps exampled by the advice given to Moses by his father-in-law Jethro. After witnessing how Moses micromanaged all of Israel's problems Jethro counseled Moses to create a hierarchy among the people to distribute the leadership. The hierarchy reflected their circle of influence.

Moses along with the newly appointed leaders did not limit their work to "secular" administration. They invoked the Spirit of God as they worked with the people. Each one us is a spiritual leader in our circle. Title and position are not prescribed by our place in the church hierarchy. As sons and daughters of God each one us can testify to God's goodness and witness to our fellow man. Ministry can flow through our fingers as we reach out and touch others.

God is not a respecter of preacher men. He desires that each one of us works to build up the body of Christ, for we were all saved by the life-giving blood of Jesus.

Comments

one voice said…
Kyle, for the last few days I have been thinking about something that you said awhile ago. You said that Jesus would eventually work Himself out of a job. Could you elaborate on that and give me some references?
dad
August 10, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Not “If" But “When”

Today I would like to look at an interesting study on Deuteronomy 4:29. Let’s begin with the text which reads: But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV There is an “If” in this passage that gives me pause. It seems to imply that the search for God is primarily initiated by our own desires. However I believe there is more to this thought from Moses. I am greatly indebted to the following YouTube Channel  watch  for the initial direction of this blog. Please check out the channel’s video for an in depth study of the passage.  Now returning to our study it is important to note that while the “If” is present in Deuteronomy 4:29 it is not in the parallel passage of Jeremiah 29:13 which says: 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 NKJV Both contexts are the same. Both are talking about what would happen to the Is...
Post a Comment
Read more

Who is Melchizedek?

Melchizedek is a mysterious figure in the Bible. He appears abruptly with great importance and yet his identity seems unclear. Let's see what we can discover. In Hebrews 7:1-3 it says: 1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him,  2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,”  3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually. Hebrews 7:1-3 With this text in mind let’s look at some of the characteristics of Melchizedek. 1. He was the King of Salem. Salem means peace. He was the King of Peace. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace in Isaiah 9:6. It says: For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And H...
3 comments
Read more

The Phantom Life

I've never really thought of myself as an apparition. But sometimes and sadly more often than it should ever be the case this is all that I am. David declares "Surely every man awalks about as a phantom." Psalm 39:6 How can he make such a bold pronouncement and does this really apply to me? The word that David uses here for phantom is the Hebrew word tselem . In this context it means phantom, but this is not the first place that this word is used. In Genesis 1:26 we find the first occurrence of this word when God says "Let Us make man in our " image ." We were made to look like God, think like God and act like Him. We were made in His image. Unfortunately for most of us this means that we only have His form. This is sort of like meeting a young man or woman that is the spitting image of their father or mother. Yet as you talk with this person it becomes quite obvious that they are nothing like their parents. Their perspective is different, their values are ...
Post a Comment
Read more