Laymen preaching? - A step in the right direction
A great error in our modern way of doing things
is to expect one man to possess all the necessary gifts for
leadership. Thus, a church may have several hundred members but
only one pastor. He is supposed to be able to preach, comfort
and so on. In fact, of the eight gifts mentioned in our text
(Romans 12:6-8) seven are usually considered to be the functions
of the ordained minister, while the eighth is the function of
the congregation. And what one gift is left to the congregation?
It is that of paying the bills. Something is out of order here.
Someone may ask if I am suggesting that laymen should preach.
Without question, when a layman has a grasp of the Scriptures
he should exercise his gift and preach at every opportunity.
The growth of laymen's movements is significant and is a step in
the right direction - back to the New Testament way of doing
things.
- Donald Grey Barnhouse, (1895-1960) The
Measure of Your Faith, Book 69, p.21
