The Need for Disciples Behind the Pulpit

Note: I am not taking on the consideration of the reincarnated 12 disciples or having the spirit of one of the 12 disciples. I believe that if you have this view-point of reincarnation within the Christian community, then you obviously have not read the scriptures and have a grasp on the eternal afterlife.

 

There is a massive need for Disciples behind the pulpits of our communities. This has caused massive issues within the realm of doctrine and theology in the local churches and makes the reaching of the lost so much harder. We need to get back to being disciples.

Now when I talk about being a disciple of Christ, I am not talking about being saved. The distinction between the two is much like a thumbs and fingers. All thumbs are fingers, but not all fingers are thumbs. When someone is saved, they have faith in Christ and believe that Christ was raised from the dead as the scripture says (1 Cor 15:3-4). A disciple on the other hand is a student of Christ. This word comes from the Latin word discipulus which means a student. Which is who we need.

Growing up in a backwoods church, I came to realize that my going to college gave me an academic advantage over many people in the church. Not many people went past high school, with many dropping out before graduation. This would make one think that I was the smartest person in the room; however, I listened to a man every Sunday and Wednesday tell me about God in such a way that helped me understand God more than I ever imagined. Although I had the degree, that man behind the pulpit was a disciple. He spent many hours studying God’s word, using tools to help him understand, talking with friends and colleagues in faith on topics, and listening to people on the radio. He devoted his life to doing all he could to learn more about the Glory of God and he was doing great.

Many major preachers of our time started out pursuing God’s word and preaching for many years before pursuing higher education. They made a difference in the world and realized that they could learn a lot more in a classroom than on their own. They pursued to constantly know more. These are the people we need in the pulpit. The one who went to higher education not, so they could know more than everyone, rather they could know more about God. The pastors who devoted themselves to learning all they can, so they can teach the masses. The pastors who takes time to learn about how to help the people they are charged with.

We need disciples behind the pulpits.