The Cure For Preacheritis

by Adam Litmer

What is Preacheritis? It's a made up word (not original to me) to describe a very real problem. Preacheritis occurs when Christians begin to view their preacher with honor that does not belong to him. It also occurs when the preacher himself begins to accept or seek such honor. Preacheritis ranks high on the list of congregation killers and has left many smoldering husks in its wake. It has been the cause of immeasurable division over the years and has ruined the usefulness of many evangelists. It's a serious problem that can easily be avoided and solved. Let's let Paul show us how.

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, a letter overflowing with problems those brethren needed to correct, it is significant that the first one Paul mentions is Preacheritis. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarrelling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? (1:11-13). Just a moment's consideration of his three questions is enough to show the mistake in aligning oneself behind a mere man. However, the issue under consideration was too important for Paul to leave after these few words. He will return to it in chapters 3 and 4. However, for the sake of this article, go ahead and answer Paul's questions for yourself. I know the answers are obvious but that's the point.

After a lengthy parenthetical aside, Paul returns to the subject under discussion in chapter 3. What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (3:5-7) Do you find Paul's word's a bit too self-deprecating? I suspect many preachers and brethren then and now would; but they shouldn't. Did either Paul or Apollos originate the gospel message? No (Galatians 1:11-12). Did either Paul or Apollos determine the proper wording to use in spreading the gospel message? No (1 Corinthians 2:12-13).

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