Gimmicks and Ministries Don’t Save Souls
In spending a few hours a week “surfing” websites of the Lord’s church in various locations to see what is being taught, I have discovered a most alarming trend. Those congregations that have “gimmicks” and multiplied “ministries” are experiencing increased attendance. This influx of new members usually produces the call for additional elders. This need is seemingly met by “promoting” deacons, and moving some of the younger men into the deacon slot. Sometimes, an “elder of the month” is listed, or a deacon or his wife are “put in charge” of this or that ministry. In some places, there are even women hired as the “children’s minister”. Where is any of this found in the New Testament? Can souls be won for the cause of Christ in such an abominable way?
True, we want more members in the body of Christ, but we want members to be added as a result of teaching, and obedience, not through entertainment or gimmicks. We see the result of sound Bible teaching in the early church in Acts 2:41-42 after Peter and the eleven had preached the gospel to the Jews at Pentecost. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. We see no gimmicks here, nor do we have “ministries”.
In Acts 4:4, after Peter and John had preached at Solomon’s porch at the temple and for doing so were “put in hold”, we read: Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. Was what these people believed a gimmick or a ministry? NO! They heard and believed the Word preached. “Believed” here is a part standing for the whole (a Synecdoche). They not only believed, they obeyed the Word.
Some are bound to ask, but “isn’t the word ‘ministry’ in the Bible”? Yes it is, but “ministries” is not found anywhere in God’s Word. To their credit, I seriously doubt any will ask if “gimmick” is in the Bible. When ministry is used, check the context. Perhaps the best use of ministry is in Acts 6:4 in the response of the apostles when the issue of the Grecian widows arose. They said: we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word. The effect of the preaching of the Word of God is evident in the 7th verse of the same chapter. And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. Souls were being won as the Word was preached, as folks believed and obeyed. Gimmicks and ministries are not part of God’s plan.
Preaching and teaching are part of God’s plan for the church. Before the establishment of the church, after Jesus came forth from the grave to die no more, He met His apostles and told them to “teach, baptize, and teach” – the Great Commission - (Matt. 28:19-20). Even as the apostles were being persecuted, Acts 5:42 shows us, And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. When Peter was sent to the household of Cornelius to preach to the Gentiles in Acts 10:42-43, part of the message was, “And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Again, “believe” here is a part standing for the whole. In Acts 10:48a we read, he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Did the Spirit have Paul write to Timothy with a gimmick, or have him set up some sort of ministry? No He did not! Clearly, in 2Tim. 2:1-2, we find God’s plan for the spreading of His soul saving gospel, and how Christians can be strong in faith. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. In 2Tim. 4:2, we see that gimmicks and ministries are not required. Timothy was instructed, Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. Also, the phrase “preach the gospel” is found nine times from Acts through 2Corithians, while “set up a ministry” or gimmick is not in Scripture anywhere!
Let’s leave the gimmicks to sales people, politicians, entertainers, or carnival workers. Let’s leave the “setting up of ministries” to those in man-made religions to promote their cause. The church for which Jesus died has important work to do. It is to spread the gospel and in so doing, give God the glory. The Spirit had Paul put it this way in 1Cor. 9:16 - For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! Preaching and teaching the gospel should be the objective of every faithful Christian. Souls are at stake.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
