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Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins
Needed: Role Players!
His is not exactly a household name. He is not usually looked upon as a hero. He has a most unheralded job to do. He seldom gets much recognition, and in his profession recognition is the way by which his worth is often determined. He plays basketball for the San Antonio Spurs, and in recent days the word “hero” has been given to him. Why? Bruce Bowen is a role player, and he plays his role well.
What is his job? It’s not to score a lot of points. His duty is defense, to keep the other team from making points. To hear the coach and his teammates talk, he has made THE DIFFERENCE in the NBA playoffs – because he has fulfilled his role.
Every entity, whether business, politics, education, sports – even the church – needs “role players.” Needed are men and women willing to take responsibility for a work, not expecting applause or recognition.
Elders, Deacons, Preachers
God gave these responsibilities to men long ago (see Titus 1, 1 Timothy 3). They often get more recognition than they want or need, but to a great extent, the direction and work of the local church stands or falls on the diligent fulfillment of their tasks.
Elders have the obligation to watch, to oversee, to “superintend” the work of the church in a specific locality. The less attention they receive often indicates that their work is done well. They play a role in the success or failure of a local church, and as such are responsible to God.
Deacons, by the very title of their work, are to serve. They are not asked to “superintend” the church. In fact, they have no right to do so, that task being given to Elders. But in their “serving”, they play a role that is most important. In like manner, the fact that they receive little recognition may mean they are doing their work in a proper manner. They do not expect constant “thanks” for their work, for that work is often done behind the scenes.
However, their role is so important that those of us who are served are obligated to appreciate the service they render, and our appreciation ought to be expressed.
Preachers receive much attention, partly because they stand before the entire congregation so often. The Bible, however, makes it clear that too much attention given to preachers can lead to problems among brethren, 1 Corinthians 1:10-16. Many years ago I was counseled to view my work as a preacher in the following manner:
A preacher is just a Christian like all the rest, but is privileged to spend his full time studying, teaching, applying and helping others to see and know the will of God.
When preachers receive too much recognition, it may mean that the rest of us are not doing our job, not fulfilling our role. Think about that.
Women and Their Role
Just as the Bible plainly gives some roles to men, women also play a vital part in the work of the local church. Elders are the first to proclaim the significant role played by women in the church. While not given the responsibility of elders, deacons or preachers, women occupy a place that cannot be filled by anyone else.
The very nature of women – caring, sympathetic, nurturing, encouraging, supporting, helping, tenderness, fostering, nursing – these are qualities in which women excel.
In the home, wives are to “submit yourselves to your own husbands, as unto the Lord,” Ephesians 5:22. This is part of the role she must play in a home to make it what God says it should be. The Holy Spirit described the role Christian wives should carry out in 1 Timothy 5:14:
“Therefore I desire that the younger women marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”
Controversy arises when a person is given one role to play but decides he wants another. This is a problem in professional sports and usually the result is dissension and conflict.
The same can exist in any entity, and the church has not been immune to such controversy. Some men want to rule the church even though not qualified or appointed. Others do not fulfill the role they have been given, resulting in the work of the church being neglected.
Both men and women are told that under certain circumstances they are to “keep silence,” 1 Corinthians 14:28, 34. Women were not given the role of publicly instructing men, 1 Timothy 2:11-12. Men were not given the role of bearing children. Parents are to rear children, not the other way around, Ephesians 6:1-4.
All Christians have a part to play in the work of the church, but when we fail to fulfill our individual capacity, the church is shackled, handicapped, and the work cannot be done.
We will always need role players, men and women who do what needs to be done, without applause.
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“Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall much be required,”
“The first requisite of a good citizen is that he shall be ready and willing to pull his weight.”
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Daddy's Bible
Daddy has left us, his life’s work done.
Only one thing leaving, to me, his son.
It is his old Bible, all tattered and torn.
Each page is wrinkled, soiled or worn.
Its condition, atrocious, but not from abuse.
It happened through time, with frequent use.
From cover to cover, each page was read.
You can tell he loved it, by the life he led.
Many words are circled, verses underlined.
In the margins, others thoughts you will find.
Much time in reading and study was spent,
Learning what was written, and just what it meant.
No greater treasure could I possess
Than that old Bible. I am so blessed.
Its condition has gone, from bad to worse,
As I’ve considered each note and underlined verse.
It now holds a place among precious things,
Not for its beauty, but for the memories it brings.
Every Daddy should follow his example and leave,
A worn-out Bible, to which his son can cleave.
No greater blessing could a man bestow
Than a knowledge of a Savior, Who loves us so.
Now that I know Him and His promises won,
What more can I say, but, “Thanks, Dad – With love, Your Son.”
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