This statement struck me immediately. Is this really something that is uttered by someone that is in a seminary course? I ask this only because I would assume that she has been walking with God for a number of years and this is simply another step in her already mature journey with Christ. I then realized the core problem with her statement. I do believe that Vicky meant what she said in all humility. However, the problem is that what she said is not biblical. This means, more than likely, that somewhere along the way someone in the church conveyed to Vicky that there are more important positions than others in the church.
I find it humorous that we are studying a book that focuses a majority of its attention on the missionary journeys of the Paul. This is humorous because Paul wrote numerous times about the very subject that Vicky's statement today speaks to. This is what he wrote to the church at Ephesus regarding importance of position,
"Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV)
This concept is key for the health of any church. Each part must work properly so that the body can grow and progress. This means that we have all been gifted by God through His Spirit in unique ways. It is for the overall good of the church that we utilize what God has given us so that the body can grow and be healthy. I think Vicky's statement is an indictment on sick churches. We have bought into this false reality that certain positions and ministries are more important than others. This is hardly the way it is supposed to be. Paul goes on to solidify his point in his first letter to the church in Corinth,
"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good."
1 Corinthians 12:4-7
God created and gifted each believer for the common good. This means that no gift is better than the other, but they are equally essential for the health of the Body of Christ. I know that Vicky is not alone in her view because the comparison of gifts and lack of importance on certain gifts or ministries is something that I have known other people to wrestle with. In fact, I have seen some pastors be insecure or unhappy with the gifts that God has given them. Furthermore, I have even seen pastors try to have every gift. Neither one of these scenarios should be the case. God has gifted us individually for the common good. Paul makes reference, beginning in verse eight of the previous mentioned chapter, to the human body and how each part must perform what it was created to do for the body to function. The church has operated in an unhealthy matter because the arms did not think their job was as important as the feet. The church has been silenced because the mouth did not like its job and would rather be eyes. The remedy for this problem is found in embracing the unique gift that God has given each of us for the advancement of His church and Kingdom. Let us pray fervently for less paper topics selected out of a defeatist mentality.
