Every Tuesday I go to a local engineering company where I serve as the corporate chaplain. Rarely do I need to use the restroom while I'm there, but every now and then nature calls. Such was the case today. So I went into the men's restroom and made the same mistake I almost always do. I keep thinking that the large metal trough to my left is some kind of "community urinal" when in fact it is the sink. The first time I went into this bathroom, I approached this trough and was about to micturate (yep, that's the formal term), when I saw a man stick his hands in it, push some kind of petal with his feet, and out came water through holes that I hadn't seen. Whew. That would have been really bad if he had walked in just a few seconds later.
I have to remind myself nearly every time I go into that restroom that the trough to my left is a sink, not a urinal!
What's the point to my telling you all this? Well, I think there's a parallel to the sink and the sanctuary. Both are intended to be resources for cleanliness. A key reason we gather with the saints for worship is to spur one another on to love and good works (Heb. 10:24-25). We go to build up the body of Christ, so that we grow up to maturity in Him (Eph. 4:12-16). We come to pray, confess our faults to one another, hear the preached Word, and press on in our walk with Christ.
Yet if we're not careful, we can treat the Lord's house like a urinal. Instead of cleansing ourselves, we can contaminate others with ungodly attitudes and words. Just as urine and other waste products are undesirable to the body and irritating to the skin and eyes, so are thoughtless words and carnal attitudes to the body of Christ. When we criticize, complain, and gossip, we are "urinating in the sink," so to speak.
Maybe this is somewhat of a crude illustration, but I couldn't let it pass (pun intended). Please take it to heart. When you come to church, treat it like a sink, not a urinal.
This blog reminded me of Paul in 2 Corinthians, unloading the things that were on his heart, matters that concern him as a faithful pastor. The primary issue with him, (as noted in 12:19), is for the upbuilding of the people and it's repeated at the end of 13:10, for building up and not for tearing down. Paul knew Pastors are responsible for the edifying of the saints, the building up of the saints. He knew their responsibility is the nurturing of believers to maturity, not unlike a parent, not unlike a father.
ReplyDeleteIn the NT, obligations and responsibilities of pastors are identified by a number of pictures. They are leaders, overseers, shepherds, teachers, guides, heralds, warners, servants, comforters and examples. And when you think about it that's precisely what parents are. There's a real parallel then between the pastor's work with his church and the parents' work with their children. Pastors are like parents.
In the text mentioned, Paul was concerned with the spiritual well-being of his children. That's what consumes him. He is not career oriented. He is not concerned about building a kingdom, or building a church, or building buildings or building a reputation, he's not concerned about how many people attend the church. He's not concerned about those kinds of things that are peripheral. He is concerned about the main issue, the spiritual well-being of his children. He is consumed with their spiritual maturation, their spiritual maturity, their spiritual growth.
It's always refreshing (no pun intended)to see Pastors who want to see their children dealing with sin in their life. Wanting them to understand the need for discipline and authority. Wanting them to be genuine and authentic. Wanting them to be obedient. And wanting them to develop real integrity.