In this series of postings, I’m slowly working my way through Charles Bridges’ classic book Christian Ministry.
Response to Chapter 3 of Christian Ministry
(Charles Bridges)
In Chapter 3, Bridges writes about purpose or aim of Christian Ministry. He discusses the various metaphors used in Scripture to describe the people of God and relates these to the work of ministry.
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I think Bridges is right on target when he insists that it is the ministry of God’s Word, empowered by the Spirit of God, that accomplishes God work.
The focus of Scripture, however, is on the Word of God, not on the “office” or person ministering the Word (i.e. the Minister). Those who lead God’s people, especially those who “work hard at preaching and teacher,” have an important role, but not the exclusive role that Bridges seems to insist on when he writes:
“Christian Ministry” is … the appointed channel of communication from the head to the body in its several members, by which the spiritual life is first imparted, and subsequently maintained…” (pg 13).
If I understanding him correction, this would mean that evangelism occurs only as “Christian Ministers” minister the Word, and that spiritual growth occurs only through the teaching / preaching ministry of “Christian Ministers.”
In the account of the spread of the gospel in Acts, the gospel often spreads into new areas through the witness of new believers (for example, Acts 8:4, “those who had been scattered went about preaching the word” – the references is to everyone but the apostles, who function, in Bridges’ book as “prototype” Christian Ministers).
He is pushing his point too far when he contends that Ministers are “first link of means in the chain of salvation, so that without a Ministry there should be no hearing of the word – consequently no faith in the only Saviour” (pg 14).
The same is true of growth in Christian maturity. In Ephesians 4:14-16, the body (congregation of believers) grows as all of God’s people participate in the “the work of ministry” (vs. 12). This is described in vs. 15 as “speaking the truth in love.” When ?”when each part (i.e. every believer in the congregation, not just the Minister) is working properly.. the body grows so that it builds itself up in love” (vs 16).
I like Bridges approach to using the Biblical metaphors to help illuminate the role of leadership among the people of God. This is a helpful exercise, though more care needs to be taken to interpret and use the metaphors in the way they are used in Scripture.
For example, the Body metaphor is used in Scripture, in reference to the Jesus’ church, in two ways – the emphasize that life of the people of God comes from the head (i.e. Jesus), and to emphasize the interrelated diversity (many parts, one body, every part is needed) of each member of the congregation.
As far as I can determine, there is not even a hint of what Bridges is saying in the New Testament passages that speak of the Church as the body of Christ. The closest the New Testament comes to this is Col. 1:22-27, but the thought is not Paul providing the link between Christ and the church. Paul is instead called the “servant” (NASV) or “minister” (ESV) of the church and the emphasis is on the need to suffer in that capacity. I take this to be a shifting of metaphors from the Church as the Body of Christ, to Paul’s calling to share in the ministry of the (OT) Suffering Servant.
His use of the Flock / Shepherd metaphor is good, though I think the Biblical usage of this metaphor is broader.
I’m not satisfied with his use of the Household metaphor. His quote comes from Jesus’ discourse in Matthew 24 – which functions as an illustration of the need to be “watchful” – the context has nothing to do with a congregation of believers. Instead this metaphor is used in the epistles (along with Building), to emphasize the importance of the one foundation (Jesus), and (along with that of a Family) to illustrate the way believers are to relate to each other.
I can’t find City used in the NT as a metaphor for a congregation of believers – though by extension perhaps Matthew 5:14 might be pressed into service. But here the metaphor has nothing to do with leadership but with the lives of believers.
Treaty of Peace refer primarily to apostolic / evangelistic ministry, it seems to me, not to congregations of believers.
In conclusion, I think this examination of metaphors could be very helpful, but Bridges’ analysis is not done carefully enough.
