The Modern Clergyman!

Recently, 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, he came across The Patron's ABC; 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.

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, too,  keeps in with the people who called him to his charge, and endeavour to keep them 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, "Say 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.

Churches don't change much, do they?  That means that they do even change much by way of Christlikeness and fidelity to the Supreme Standard of the church - the Holy Scriptures.  They appear to be left to themselves; and just as the boy, Jesus', parents did not know that he was not with them on the journey back from Jerusalem, so, too,the churches do not even realise that God may have withdrawn Himself from them, and the work goes on as usual.  The church, denomination, or individual that does not live in willing and glad submission to the Word of God will be rejected by God, just as He rejected Saul as King of Israel after he rejected God's Word to him.  People trifle with God to their own undoing.  And they can go so far from Him that they do not even know that this is what they have done.

When the modern clergyman follows the Patron's ABC, he can be sure that he has departed from the only King and Head of the church; and when they have departed from Him, it follows logically and necessarily that He has also departed from them.

What a dire and timely warning to every time-server within the church! What a call this is to return to the God whom you claimed has saved you and called you into the church's ministry!