[OBW]

Nell,

While I am sure that I disagree in small parts here and there, the overall approach of Matt's premise seems sound.

I think that the real problem is the view of people as to what the "positions" are for. And for the most part, the Ephesians passage lays that out most clearly. They are called and given tasks for the purpose of helping the rest of us attain what Christ has commanded. In that sense, they do stand-in for God/Christ. But not so much as authorities, but as helpers.

Yes, they do have a kind of authority. But it is the authority of what they have learned that we have not learned, not an authority of hierarchical control, such as a government or military position.

And to underscore the point of what kind of authority they have, I like to look at Paul in a different way. And there is no better place to look at it than in his first letter to the Corinthians. In that letter, he tells them a lot. But he does in in a way of pleading with them coupled with a lot of discussion of the reasons that he is saying what he is saying and that they should seriously consider what he is saying. From giving up the divisive preferences, to how they practice the Lord's Table, to their seeking after certain gifts, to how they run their meetings, to the significance of the Lord's return and our receiving of a new body in resurrection. Even in the discussion of the man who was openly engaged in serious sexual sin. In no case did Paul demand their obedience. He did not suggest that their salvation was on the line or their status as a church. Instead, he pleaded and reasoned with them on each point.

I do think that point #2 — that they make themselves less necessary — is a nuanced point. At some level, they will never be unnecessary. And there are at least 2 reasons for this.

First, unless the church ceases to increase and all die away, there will always be some (all?) who will need help in their next steps on their way to the full-grown man that is spoken of in the scripture. Despite our increased abilities through significant literacy to somewhat self-feed in spiritual terms, unless we are able to avoid all worldly needs — jobs, families, etc. — most of us will always require some amount of spiritual direction. Yes, there was one place where John said we had no need that anyone teach us. But even in saying that, John was teaching and the understanding of that passage as a complete dismissal of teachers of the word is far beyond what I can only suggest is the obvious intent.

Second, there are many who have assessed the claim by some, such as Nee and Lee, that Paul was saying that the "big E" evangelist was simply there to create a lot of "little e" evangelists, and so on, and have found it wanting. Instead, they are of the general opinion that the entire life of the Christian should be "works of ministry" and that the notion that there are certain activities that are ministry and others that are not is incorrect. So even for the more seasoned Christian, there will always be the need for growth in whatever our aspects of ministry are that arise in doing our jobs, driving our cars, interacting in the marketplace, and so on. And we will not simply be doing it on our own. Evangelists do not create evangelists. They do the basics of bringing converts into the flock in starting the building process. Pastors (shepherds) take care of the flock, leading them to better pastures, tending to their wounds, and so forth. Teachers (not just what the pithy saying implies — those who cannot do) are there to continue our education and training. Each of these is always important to even the most well-developed among us. It is like the top professional golfers who continually learn from others who could not beat them in any round of the game.

The examples are not complete. But I think they make the point. Those that God supplies for our benefit will always be there. Just like the original disciples who were slowly replaced by others as they died, there are always those God calls and sends to us. We do well to see them and give them the proper respect they are due. Not as if some kind of authoritarian, but as authorities on their "subjects." As helpers on our journey of life.

But their part is not as governing officials or even local beat cops. They are servants to us to help us along the way. They may bring light to our failures and suggest what is necessary for correction. They may even reprove us at times. But never like the leaders of the world.