(The word, “Christendom” will often be used in these pages. It is used to describe and encompass the whole scope, world wide, of that which attaches to itself the name of Christ).

I have chosen just four specific areas which I believe contribute predominantly to the breakdown and fragmentation of the Church throughout Christendom and have themselves, developed into 'systems of error'. They are clericalism; denominationalism; religiousness and compromise. The order in which they appear is not intended to have any significance. To me, they are virtually inseparable and mutually inclusive.

Clericalism

Clericalism is clericalism in whatever shape or form, whether very apparent and intrusive or otherwise, for it does, of itself and by its very nature, tend to militate against the expression of Christ's Church in any place where his people are gathered. It makes the practical functioning of the 'Body of Christ 'more difficult and tends to curtail the freedom of the Lord, the sensitive movements of the Holy Spirit and the unfettered exercise of those Gifts set in each Assembly.

You may say, “that is bad enough” but bear in mind that very often, these things are more the unwitting outcome of a system of appointment in which these faults are inherent and not the result of any personal questionable motivation or desire for position or career advancement. It also has to be said that, too often, those who appoint, positively encourage clericalism in those they appoint, retreating themselves into the comfort zone of the 'congregation'.

Sadly, it is also true that for a few, to become part of “The Clergy” is regarded more as a profession and a career in life and there may be little or no sense of God's calling based upon a personal relationship with Jesus. I do not believe this to be true of the vast majority however. 

Very simply, I believe that the order of things the Lord instituted through his servant Paul and which was to be maintained by the Holy Spirit and in his power, is heavenly in origin, heavenly in destiny and is the very antithesis of Judaism in which the priesthood was a formal institution under God. The truth of the one Church and the one Body, (which we hold fast for every Christian) was intended to be found in actual expression in every place where those converted to Christianity met together, the Lord's Supper being the focal point of their gatherings.

We read in many scriptures, of Gods provision from heaven for the universal Church including the gifts that were set among them and given the uniqueness of those times, one might expect to find that  range of gifts represented within each particular Church, (though sadly, that may not necessarily be the case today). Any mere human appointment in this precious area would be to substitute God with man. We also see that the teaching of Paul in his epistles, provided the framework, guidelines and corrective advice necessary to keep all in its original glory and to ensure that their times together would be conducted in an orderly way for the edification and enjoyment of all. 

The attraction, appeal and inspiration for those that gathered was to experience the presence of the Lord, either bodily or by the Spirit and to experience the great spiritual benefit that freedom for the gifts to operate would bring, as the brethren waited upon one another. The worship of Divine Persons was paramount and every gathering must have included some powerful prophetic ministry and teaching.

I have no difficulty with leadership becoming recognised and supported or priestliness and priestly activity being a vital part of Christian life both when the Church is convened or in relation to the many activities associated with Church life. Neither do I have difficulty with caring or administrative responsibilities being recognised and named as such and those who take them on, being supported by a Church and their roles clearly defined.

(My definition of a leader is simple. “A leader leads” and by example, whether it be in menial tasks, or that which is more in the public eye, the motivation being to serve, in love, rather than just from a sense of duty or contractual obligation alone)

I can also see that in the early days of the Church, Paul expressed his support for Mark, Barnabas, Timothy and others and encouraged the Saints in various places to pay heed to those in whom he had confidence. Likewise I see leading men chosen to go with Paul to Antioch and a reference to Deacons “Who desire to exercise oversight” and there are many other instances of person's gifts and skills being recognised, made way for and even promoted during those unique times.

What I fail to see, however, is any support for a separate class of persons on earth within the Christian faith in the form of a 'Priesthood' or any similar concept conveying a distinct group or system of appointments that in any way, sadly, resembles what we have today in almost every Church and denomination.

I see quite the opposite. Scripture clearly teaches us that we are all "Priests to God” ( Revelation 1. v 6). The old order has been superseded by a new one, so why and how has this system of things with all the characteristics of the old, crept back into Christ's Church which is heavenly in origin?

Some may say that I am, over-reacting perhaps. They may say that whilst, clericalism and a system of clergy can be clearly seen in Roman Catholicism or “High Church” within the Anglican community, to suggest it is prevalent in most Churches and gatherings of Christians is too strong a view…but I disagree. This whole system of human appointment and so called ordination (as distinct from the anointing by the Spirit) is extensively practised and has become part of the very fabric of Christendom. The fact that the members of a Church often have the final choice as to whom they employ, does not alter what precedes that choice.

It has become normal for a person to enter into a contract of employment which (effectively)puts them at the head of a Church, either locally or regionally, and in that way, is not dissimilar to any other appointment in the world of commerce, industry or education, which requires the performance of a number of obligatory duties. Given the present age in which we live, it is hard, for various reasons, to imagine an arrangement being made on any other basis and I have no doubt those responsible for recruiting would be careful as to the moral ground upon which such an arrangement is entered into, but I still find it all at odds with the 'spirit of ministry' as we see it in Scripture, particularly as set out by the Apostle Paul, to whom the Lord entrusted the design, building and moral and spiritual fabric of his Church.

As I have already said, I am not taking issue with individuals and many enter into this position with all the right motives and with dedication and sincerity and in the full acceptance of the ministry of our Lord and of Paul, often working tirelessly to maintain a clean place for the Lord to come to. Rather, it is this widespread and unscriptural system of things that hinders, suppresses and in some cases, suffocates both the 'Truth' and any recognisable expression of the Body of Christ and provides fertile ground for the introduction and acceptance of so many things of which the Lord cannot possibly approve.

Let us assume that the teachings of Paul in 1, Corinthians 12. 24-31. and Ephesians 4. 10-16. are to be believed and that there should be found in each place, (where there is an expression of Christ's Church), believers for whom Christ died and in whom Divine Persons have invested. Believers who, as a result of having received the Holy Spirit, have been given and entrusted with gifts for the edification, feeding and growth of that position in which God has set them. Should those gifts not be searched out, encouraged and made way for? Many folk may not be aware of their gift yet or too timid to exercise it, yet in an environment of clericalism by human appointment and prescribed and, (very often), pre-planned services, there is little chance of them ever doing so, particularly if Church life revolves around one service per week.

So........good souls file in and out each Sunday morning and all that Divine provision for the spiritual health, growth and sustenance of the "Body" placed there by Divine Persons themselves, is largely wasted. It sits, often untapped, in something called a 'congregation'.

Of course, every Church is different and some leaders are more aware than others of the need to encourage and develop these gifts. Again, I ask the reader to look at the bigger picture.

What if someone feels, they should be exercising their gift for preaching, teaching, prophetic ministry, healing etc (especially those gifts that have a more public aspect) and ask that they be allowed to do so? Would it be welcomed, viewed with suspicion, regarded as ambition or  even as a threat? It takes a very bold person to put themselves forward in that way.

Even if welcomed, could it be accommodated within the constitution of that Church or the contractual obligations of the Minister? And so you find that because of the complications and  a real fear of being misunderstood, many who could and should be exercising these and other gifts, feel discouraged from doing so and the Divine Plan for that 'Assembly' is not realised.

Now, take all of the above, the wasted gift, the stunted spiritual growth, the inevitable lack of incentive by many to become involved, often leading to apathy and a loss of interest altogether. Multiply that out on a world wide basis throughout  the Christian world and you begin to see the cumulative affect systematized clericalism has upon that most precious thing on earth, "The Body of Christ". Clericalism has been for centuries, a form of creeping paralysis.        

When J.N. Darby wrote his paper "The Notion of a Clergyman, Dispensationally the Sin against the Holy Spirit" he was bitterly attacked but I think it is a paper worthy of serious consideration (the key word being "Dispensationally"). The times, issues and circumstances were, of course, very different, but in essence, I believe the root error is still deeply entrenched today. 

So much more could be said on this matter but let me put just a few questions……….In this time of such breakdown, fragmentation and compromise across Christendom, which must cause the Lord so much grief, by what authority does an ecclesiastical organisation ordain or appoint a person to minister to this 'heavenly vessel' and put them forward for selection?

By whom is that organisation accredited and how can various organisations, separating themselves from one another, make such appointments, if there is only 'one Church'?

I read recently of some who received ordination at the hands of those whom they later admitted were well known to be leading lives quite out of keeping with their assumed position in the Church and even their belief in God (in some cases) was questionable. It shows what is possible and I suspect that example is but the tip of the iceberg.

Then again, should I, given the state of the Church universally, the multitude of different Christian groups, the way my Christian (in Name) and native country, has all but turned its back on Christ….. should I really be accepting titles and making myself conspicuous by them?

Could we then not turn our back on all this, reject it and return to the teachings of the apostles, particularly Paul? Perhaps start again? Well, we just don't seem prepared to trust the Lord and the Spirit. We just can't believe that it would work without the introduction of a strong human controlling element and we seem unable to resist reshaping Christ's Church according to our thinking, according to the human mind, (from which ritual is naturally conceived) and little by little over the centuries, we have created something that is far, far removed from the model.

Sadly, most would not recognise that to be so. For many Christians, this culture of clergy and congregation is both acceptable and comfortable and you may well read this and wonder what all the fuss is about. You may well hold the view that Paul's teachings are out of date, that if he were alive today he would understand and even tolerate the extent of our departure from his vision of the Church, forced to do so by circumstances.

I reject that completely. Paul is not out of date, neither is the Lord. The world has changed, the apostasy has gathered pace and I have no doubt that Paul would view our present circumstances and the demands of life upon us most sympathetically, but his teachings are fundamentally as valid today as they were in his lifetime and I take the view that if his ministry was heeded today, it would address many of the world's ills, socially, politically and in every other way.

So……take time to read the Scriptures, particularly Paul's epistles and the early part of the book of Acts. Then try to put yourself in the Lord's place. Look at Christendom as though through his eyes, look at what goes on in Churches today and then think about his sufferings, of what he endured for the “Joy that was set before him”  that is, his Church today.

Religiousness

Compromise

What Can I Do?

Little Gems

Humour

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Reflections upon Christmas and the Christian Calendar