I Corinthians 9:16

"If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel."

Reflection by Anthony B. Robinson

A few years back I got grumpy about hearing myself, as an ordained minister, referred to as "staff," as in "our church staff." In a way, of course, it was true. My colleagues and I were "church staff." But in another way it seemed to me misleading and a bad sign.

It's not that I have illusions that clergy are better or more spiritual than others in the church. For a fact I know we're not. But referring to ministers as "staff" somehow sounded to me as if the church were a cruise ship and my job and that of other "staff" was to see that members of the church were pleased, entertained and having a good time. Calling ministers "staff" made it sound like we were nothing more than employees of the congregation.

Here in today's passage from Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, Paul concludes a long discussion about whether preachers should be paid or not (he says they should) by saying that he doesn't do this work just because it's a job. He does it because God has called him. Somehow, he just has to do it. He can't not do it. He is under obligation to God and to the gospel. When I am true to myself, that's how it is for me. I don't preach the gospel because I am a pastor; I am a pastor because I must preach the gospel.

I struggle with the "staff" thing because I worry that what we call ordained ministers is a reflection of how we think about the church itself.

Sure, at times as the church we have fun together and that's great. Really. But we aren't aren't just another social club, only with stained glass. We are something more, much more. We are The Church of Jesus Christ. The Church belongs to God and is called of God to be something grand and glorious, a witness to the resurrection and to the truth of God. Light to the world. Salt to the earth. At least sometimes the church seems in danger of morphing into a "salt substitute."

Prayer

Deliver your church, O Lord, from wavering and fear, from sin and scandal, that we may shine as a light to the world and be as a city set on a hill. Amen.

About the Author Anthony B. Robinson, a United Church of Christ minister, is a speaker, teacher and writer. His newest book is Stewardship for Vital Congregations, published by The Pilgrim Press. Read his weekly reflections on the current lectionary texts at www.anthonybrobinson.com/ by clicking on Weekly Reading.

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