Working Conditions Reason For Pastors' Work Stoppage

Guest column from Rev. Michael Brooks of Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster AL

Note: This column was first used on Oct. 2, 1987 at the time of several national strikes.

It was announced today that the nation's pastors have planned a work stoppage to begin at midnight Sunday. This action follows on the heels of the baseball, air controllers and National Football League strikes, and may be the most devastating of all.

Already the public is agitated, and many questions are being raised such as "Why?" and "How can religious leaders actually do such a thing?" and "Who will perform weddings, bury the dead, visit the hospitals and baptize the converts?"

The reverend B.A. Saint, leader of the striking pastors, addressed reporters at a press conference today and said that this action is being taken regretfully but that there appears to be no recourse. 

Saint explained that money is not the issue. 

"On the whole," he said. "our congregations realize the laborer is worthy of his hire and care for us well financially. The real problem is working conditions."

The strikers' leader further explained, "Most pastors are overworked; they have little time to refresh themselves or be with their families. These pastors have established their priorities--study preaching, visiting and counseling are at the top--but some folks think the pastor has to do all the work and perform all the ministry."

Continuing his explanation of the pastors' unprecedented actions, Saint said, "I think the real reason for this condition is a misinterpretation of Ephesians 4:12. 

"The 'comma' after 'equipping the saints' makes it appear that the apostle Paul is listing the pastor's responsibility. In other words, the pastor is given to 'equip the saints' and do 'the work of the ministry.'  However, the comma was added by the translators and is not inspired. The pastor is actually to equip the saints so that they can do the work of the ministry. The pastor is supposed to give his job away."

Saint said that even calling the pastor a minister may be misleading. 

"All Christians are ministers," he said. "One man cannot do all that must be done and the scripture never said he was to do all the ministry anyway. Christianity was never intended to be a spectator sport!"

It is yet to be determined how effective the strike will be but Saint and his fellow pastors are hopeful that it will be successful. 

"With the pastors on strike, perhaps our congregations will realize that if ministry is to be done they will have to join in," he said. "That is the main idea anyway."

Saint concluded his press conference saying this strike cannot be settled until a great host of the uncommitted rise up and fulfill their Christian responsibility to minister in Christ's name.

"This will be a costly commitment, but it is the only solution," he said.

"Reflections" is a weekly faith column written by Michael J. Brooks, pastor of the Siluria Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. The church's website is siluriabaptist.com. Rev. Brooks has graciously given ALPolitics.com permission to repost his regular pastoral column here.

Opinions do not reflect the views and opinions of ALPolitics.com. ALPolitics.com makes no claims nor assumes any responsibility for the information and opinions expressed above.