By Jack Wilkie
It’s a very Catholic idea that the church would have a professional who gets paid to have a relationship with God for us, and unfortunately it’s one that has largely remained intact despite the Reformation and Restoration. We buy into the idea that the church has “Super Christians” whom God has placed as the primary sources of the church’s work and growth. Consider a few examples of how this can happen:
This happens when members say “My preacher says…” rather than “The Bible says…” Sure, the preacher will probably know more Bible than most of the members. But every member should have the heart of the Bereans, searching the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11).
This happens when we push all spiritually-minded young people toward ministry or Bible education. When a young person (young men in particular) shows a love for the Word and the church, what do they hear? “You need to go into ministry or mission work!” Why? Why can’t we have an IT consultant, a landscaper, or a doctor who loves God and enjoys studying the Word? But because we buy into the myth of the “Super Christian,” we assume that anyone who shows an interest in the Bible must be somehow different than the average member, when in reality that should be the case for every average member. (See here for more on this idea.)
This happens when we use a dynamic speaker or a talented song leader as the reason to go to a church or as the lure to invite someone to come with us.
This happens when deep spirituality is treated as an individual hobby on par with any other. “Oh, this person enjoys Bible study. That guy likes sports. That lady likes fitness. That guy is into cars. To each their own.” Walking with God is not an individual hobby that some Christians will enjoy and others just won’t be able to “get.” Knowing God is what Christianity is all about. However, we sometimes make it too easy for a person to get just enough God to go to heaven without really having to commit because the Bible doesn’t interest them.
This happens when church leadership puts their focus on trying to get people to “come to church” rather than trying to figure out how each person can be plugged in to serving their fellow Christians. That approach says, “We Super Christians will handle this for you. Please just make sure to show up and we’ll handle the rest.”
This happens when a congregation has the age-old 90/10 issue, where 10% of the members do 90% of the church’s work.
This happens when people who have been Christians for decades assume it’s the preacher’s job to do all the evangelism and discipleship because “that’s what we pay him for.”
This happens when parents assume it’s the youth minister’s job to make sure their kids remain faithful.
The list could go on, and you may have some instances of your own to contribute, but hopefully the point is clear: many Christians buy into the myth that some members are “Super Christians” and the rest are just average people with little to contribute.
Paul anticipated our tendency to build up “Super Christians” in 1 Corinthians 12:22-25. There he pointed out that we should focus on honoring the contributions of those in the church who are weaker, less honorable, or less presentable. Whereas we’re inclined to put the focus on the preacher, the song leader, the elders, or some other prominent members, Paul said that those people don’t need that kind of focus.
Instead, we should be finding ways to help the less visible members realize their importance to the health of the church body. In Ephesians 4:11-13 he made it clear that the more prominent roles have been given so that those leaders would equip others for service. Rather than basing the strength of our congregations on the spirituality of a few leaders, the leaders must be focused on strengthening every link in the chain.
Earlier in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul used the illustration of a human body to discuss every Christian’s usefulness to the church. Notice vs. 7, where he wrote that each one is given the Spirit for the common good. God expects all of us to contribute. Every single baptized Christian has something to offer the church. But how many people will sit in a pew this Sunday and make that time their only connection with their church family for the entire week? How many will let the “Super Christians” put on a worship service for them and drop in some money as their way of “doing their part”? How many will show up every time the doors are open yet still not be shown a way to serve?
Medically, it’s a problem when a body has an ear that doesn’t hear, or a hand that can’t grab, or a foot than can’t walk. So it goes with the church. The more members we have who aren’t contributing anything other than their attendance and some money, the unhealthier the body is. Paul echoed that sentiment in the passage in Ephesians 4, where he emphasized that the body is built up by what every joint supplies. The church needs every member to mature and contribute to the health of the body.
Don’t rely on a “Super Christian” to know the Bible for you, to do the work of the church for you, or to give you an excuse for a lagging spiritual life. You and God don’t need a middle man. And the church doesn’t need “Super Christians.” The church needs Christians. Dedicated, spiritual, active Christians.
