Ministerial Malignancy

Just this week, I purchased a second hand copy of Arther Fawcett's book on the Cambuslang Revival (Edinburgh, 1971), which the author signed. In relating this little known work of God's Spirit in Scotland in the early to mid eighteen hundreds, he came across The Patron's A>B>C> This 'catechism for clergymen' was published in Glasgow in 1771 (page 198).

Question 5 asks: What is the chief end of a modern clergyman? The answer it gives is: A modern clergyman's chief end is, to serve the Patron, and his friends, that he may in due time be found worthy to receive and enjoy a benefice, or be advanced to a better place through his favour.

The first thing that struck me about this answer was the absence of any accountability to God for the way in which he exercised his ministry. His first duty was to the man who appointed him to his pastoral care. This was obviously an important man in society, and with clout, a man well connected in high places, and a man who could do you either great good or great harm. A clergyman's preferment within the church would be decided by the Patron, who had the power to accelerate a clergyman's promotion to high office within the church, or to prevent it.

Now those of us who are non-conformists can recognise that this was a particular trait within Anglicanism; but it would be wrong to assume that non-conformity does not face a very similar and destructive danger. The modern minister is expected, by the congregation AND by the church authorities, to make sure that he keeps the people with him at all times, or at least as many of them as he can. He must keep his eye fixed on "the people that count" within the congregation and denomination, and ensure that he pleases them. As one theological college Principal in Northern Ireland taught a younger colleague a few years ago, "Do what the people want you to say, and do what they want you to do!" In other words, keep in with the people who pay your salary, and who could make it difficult for you to remain. This Principal recognised the Patronic system within Presbyterianism in Ireland, and encouraged his young colleague to bear that always in mind.

Now if a minister has had a particularly difficult time in a previous church, because of the activities of the Patron, he will know the power of "the people who count," and will be keen to do whatever the local leaders or the ordinary church member want. This kind of 'benign dictatorship' becomes much less benign as the minister begins to reform the congregation according to the Word of God, which very thing most elders do not want!

Question 6 asks: What is a Patron? The answer is: A Patron is a Protestant Pope, Christ's vicar, and supreme head of his body the church of England and Scotland; infallible, absolute, uncontroulable; of wisdom, which none dare call in question, of power, which none can resist; of holiness, such as becomes the eldest son of the Pope of Rome; of justice, goodness and truth, just as self-interest, or the sollicitation of friends happen at the time to preponderate.

This is a most enlightening answer to a vitally relevant question, for Patrons are not the exclusive domain of the Anglicans - non-conformity also has them in kind, though not in name. The principle here is the over-riding power and authority under which ministers exercise their ministry. Where this power views itself as being "Christ's vicar," then what it says and does, Christ says and does. The church authorities become identical with Christ Himself, so obeying these equals obeying Christ, and vice versa.

The non-conformists' Patron must be obeyed at all costs and in all circumstances. Essentially he is the 'Word of Christ' in the flesh! No matter how unreasonable the Protestant Pope of non-conformity is in his words and actions, he must be obeyed! If a minister is to get a 'plum' charge, the favour of the Patron must be courted, and his support secured.

Now its not that the Patron will show himself to be a real 'prate;' it's more about the unconscionable exercise of ecclesiastical power that is the problem. Because he is regarded as "Christ's vicar" within the visible church, his rite runs. These are often unpredictable scions so far as obedience to the Word of God is concerned, but eminently predictable when it comes to behaving as ecclesiastical politicians is concerned. These clerics are so important in their own eyes that what they say and do is what must be carried out. Why? Because they hold in their hands the power of life and death over ministers! They are infallible - and one such church politician told me as much! - their word is absolute, and they are uncontrollable. No one dare call into question what these operators do, and seldom is that done because "turkeys don't vote for Christmas!" To question the rightness of their decisions is tantamount to disobedience to the courts of the church.

Now these are not a rare breed. They are found throughout non-conformity, often clad in Genevan gowns, but frequently without them. They operate under the noble names/titles of eldership, Presbytery, General Synod or Assembly, or whatever.

Popes rule in virtually all churches, despite the mantra of some of them, 'No Pope Here!' It is this very mantra that enables them to act as Popes, thus deceiving the uneducated and undiscerning as they hide behind what the people already believe.

Non-conformity need not try to excuse itself from ecclesiastical popery, nor need it convince itself that such popery does not exist within its ranks, for it does. We need to acknowledge that this exists, repent of the sin of tolerating what is unscriptural, seek the mercy of Almighty God, and embark on a purge of the church to remove every last semblance of the Patronic system.

Unless and until this is done, the church stands in very great danger of being sucked into the world, thus becoming even more ineffective than she already is.