Be Not Many Of You Teachers

James 3:1 "Be not many of you teachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment." (ASV)

There was, and still is, an evil that we're warned about. Namely, the prevailing desire of men to be public teachers even if they are not capable or qualified.

James properly points out that those who take on the responsibility of congregational (public) teaching expose themselves to more solemn judgment than those who do not.

For years, some have pointed to how a speaker who preaches false doctrine and leads others astray will suffer greater harm in eternity for that influence on others. They use this verse as their text proof. While that idea is absolutely sustained in the scriptures, that is not the point James makes here.

No false teacher should be permitted to address our congregations. All false teachers, public or private, are condemned by God. The condemnation James speaks of is something different than false doctrine. It speaks to qualifications and ability to perform the duties of a public teacher.

The admonition is for men to not clamor to be public teachers because it is a job with serious ramifications - for the teacher and the congregation. It requires abilities that not every man has, as evidenced in congregations all over our brotherhood. Those who will not study, those who are unskilled in the Word, those who are unable to articulate clear thoughts, those who are unable to speak so they can be heard or understood, and countless other roadblocks should prevent leaders and elders from giving this responsibility to some men!

Congregational teachers impact the worship of the entire congregation. While the teaching portion of the service isn't necessarily the most important part of the worship, it is as critical as any other part of the worship. Because preaching the Word demands a greater element of time (typically) than other items of worship - it has an enormous impact on the congregation's ability to worship. Incapable or unprepared men impede the worship of the congregation. That is, they get in the way of scriptural worship of the entire congregation. Consider how hard you've had to work to worship when an incapable teacher is in the pulpit. That's shameful.

Leaders and elders who willingly put men up who are unprepared or unskilled subject those men to greater condemnation. A man who is incapable of edifying, but teaches publicly merely because he wants to (and the congregation indulges him) - has been willfully put in a bad place by the leaders who allow it. Leaders, elders and teachers will give an account of the feeding of the flock. They'll also give account for the judgment facing the teachers they appoint.

It seems certain that in James' day, much like today, men clamored to be public teachers, often without giving proper thought to the consequences. There are skills and abilities that are required for the job.

Ignorance of the scriptures should prohibit some from teaching publicly until they are more skillful. We don't put young people behind the wheel of a car until they have demonstrated sufficient skill to operate a car. The pulpit deserves more protection.

Some seek the pulpit because they perceive it to be a position of "power." Like Simon, the magician, they want what they want without due consideration of the request. The pulpit is certainly a place of power - it's where God's Word is put forth. God's Word is the power, not the man preaching it. The quest for power or popularity is not sufficient motivation for becoming a public teacher. It's a dangerous thing to put a man up simply because he wants it.

Those who can't - shouldn't. Some men are unable to read scripture aloud without stammering. Such men should not subject the congregation to their inability. Nor should those who won't study, or those who cannot build up or edify the congregation. The pulpit is not a place deserving of every man who desires to occupy it. It must be earned, continually. The health of our congregations depend on it.

Public teaching is not the ONLY service rendered by the male segment of the congregation. It is not a right of male passage in the Lord's Church. It's a very serious matter that deserves our best efforts. It impacts the entire congregation. It impacts the strength of the local church.

Congregational teachers very well may have the greatest impact on every congregation. Local teachers can influence a congregation for good or bad. Few influences affect our congregations like the quality of local teaching. When it is as God dictates, our congregations are strengthened. When it's not, they're weakened.

In view of judgment and eternity we ought to give serious thought to the burden facing leaders and elders to subject some men to greater condemnation that might otherwise be avoided. The men suffer, the congregation suffers and those responsible for putting them in the pulpit suffer. Everybody loses. Those who would be teachers should also consider putting their emphasis on work for which they're better suited. There's a place for every man, woman, boy and girl in the Kingdom. There is work for us all to do. However, the pulpit is inappropriate for many.

The Great Time-Waster

The Internet and email are among the most time-consuming passions of people today.

There are far too many survey results to cite that prove the point, but I don't think they're even necessary. Most of us can simply look at our own lives and realize we waste precious time surfing the net, reading/responding/creating email messages, communicating with instant messages, text messaging, playing online or computer games - and so much more, including mindless hours in front of the TV set.

Wasting time, or spending time is a challenge for all of us. Investing time wisely is very difficult for most of us. In part, because some of us give it too little thought. We go through life on auto-pilot with little regard sometimes for how we're spending or investing our time. We just do what we do.

The Lord's work, our home responsibilities, our relationships and all the things that matter most can suffer if we're not careful to examine our lives - and the time we spend doing unproductive things.

The Internet poses a great challenge in Christian homes because the element of time is often lost. We sit in front of a screen surfing from one site to the next - perhaps in pursuit of something quite noble or enlightening - only to find that hours have passed. A few feet away may sit a small child or a spouse who wasn't engaged in any meaningful way. Those we love the most are often suffering from a more full relationship with us because we're staring into a piece of electronics connected to people we may not even know. Ironic.

Email, forums and instant messaging are soaking up more time that might be better spent with those we love. Hours sitting in silence in front of TV sets hasn't enhanced any family relationships. Many of us are wasting far too much time disconnecting with the important people in our lives - while we're overly connected with people who have little or no meaning for us.

It seems strange when you put it in those terms, doesn't it? It should. Because it is strange, sad and too often true.

Curb your addiction to the Internet and other time wasters. Make yourself aware of how you're living. Consider those you love. Behave in ways that will enhance your meaning and value in their lives - and as result, make your own life more valuable to them.

Some suggestions:

1. Try checking your email twice a day. Most of us can't imagine that.
2. Try going 3 days without TV.
3. Try going a week without a newspaper.
4. Try avoiding instant messages and text messaging for 3 days.

Now, try this:

1. Read your Bible one hour a day. It doesn't have to be continuous.
2. Pray three times a day in addition to giving thanks for your meals.
3. Have as many meaningful conversations with your family as possible. Share.
4. Call and check on somebody who is suffering, or go see them.

Spend. Or invest. It's always our choice. Make your choices wisely.

Do You Send Thank You Notes? Maybe You Should.

The most recent common complaint heard among many older members is the lack of gratitude displayed by recipients of a gift. Time and again I hear older members lament how a gift (perhaps a graduation, wedding or birthday present - most often money) is never recognized with a "thank you" note. It irks lots of people to give a gift that garners no extension of thanks. Perhaps it's a generational thing, but the good manners of saying "thank you" are often absent.

Recently, I've been the recipient of no less than three "thank you" notes - all from people who have stayed in our home. They were pleasant surprises - and made me think even more highly of those who sent them. I was duly impressed with all three people before getting their card, but the cards reinforced my belief that these were all people of the highest caliber. All three were Christians ranging in age from young (20) to middle aged.

Be gracious. If you've been given a present, or been extended some hospitality - send a "thank you" note. Express your gratitude. It's good manners. It's always appropriate to be thankful for kind treatment. Young and old alike will appreciate your thoughtfulness and think better of you.