Why I am a "Yes-Man"
I am to Submit - The Pastor of a Church is also called a "Bishop" which means "overseer". If you want a good verse which combines the role of Pastor with that of overseer, see Acts 20:28. In fact, Paul makes it clear there that the Holy Ghost has made your Pastor the overseer of your local Church! We don't use the word overseer much today, but it means that the Pastor is the manager, boss, or supervisor of the local Church. He is the one in charge and the one who is ultimately accountable for the work. This means that in the work of the local Church, God has given the Pastor authority and I am to submit to him. As a wife is to submit to her husband in the home, I am to submit to the Pastor in the Church (see I Timothy 3:5). 1 guess women who have trouble submitting to their husbands are probably going to find it difficult to submit to the Pastor, but that is another matter. For those of you who work, how long would you keep your job if you refused to submit to your boss? For those of you who have been in the military, how long would you stay out of serious trouble if you refused to follow a ranking officer? Gladly will I be a "yes-man" and submit to the authority of my Pastor.
Now there are some who say that they are in submission to the Pastor but they do otherwise. Some people are big on being an "amen-man", but they are not much for being a "yes-man". One time we had an Evangelist in our Church who verbally made a point several times to say that the Pastor was the boss. Unfortunately, this man opposed the Pastor's ideas, disregarded his orders, and belittled him for what he believed. You can say you believe that the Pastor is in charge, but if you don't do what he says, then you do not really believe what you say you believe (James 2:17). We only practice what we really believe. Gladly then will I be a "yesman" and do what my Pastor says.
I am to Follow - Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Be followers of me, even as I also am of Christ". He told the Philippians to follow those who walked like him (3:17). Hebrews 13:7 says I am to follow the faith of my Pastor. It seems real plain to me that I am supposed to be a follower. For those of you who don't want to follow your Pastor, who are you following? If being a follower makes me a "yes-man" then I will gladly bear that title in honor.
I know that there is a condition on following the Pastor or other godly men. I am only to follow them if they are following Christ. I can assure you that if my Pastor were to say something contrary to Scripture, I would be ready to discuss that with him. I know also that he is not perfect. However in my experience, it has not been these matters that have been the issue for people who refuse to follow. The issues are usually over some practice or decision about the work of the Church, or perhaps over the Pastor's style. Most Christians today don't read their Bible enough to even know when something is said contrary to Scripture. I study the Bible much and God has given me a good memory, but I can say with all honesty that I still believe my Pastor knows the Bible better than I do. He prays more than I do and has more experience than I have. If you are not a "yes-man", you must believe that you know your Bible better and have a closer walk with God than the Pastor God has given you. There definitely seems to be something wrong in that logic. Gladly will I be a "yes-man" and follow my Pastor's example.
I am to be Holy - Paul told the Corinthians that the reason there was envy, strife, and division in their Church was because of carnal Christians. There have been occasions when I have not always agreed with My Pastor and/or other leaders in the Church, but for the sake of unity I said "yes" to their decision. I am to be not carnal. I would rather preserve unity in the Church than to get my way on what color the carpet should be! Oh if we would only consider some of the foolish things we argue over in light of eternity and the cause of Christ. Gladly will I be a 'yes-man" to avoid envy, strife, and division; and to maintain unity.
Our modern culture doesn't think much about meekness and humility. The world teaches people to exalt self, and our Churches have become full of proud, worldly, carnal Christians. They don't like the words "submit" or "follow" and so to be a "Yes-man" in their eyes is to be a weakling or coward. Galatians chapter 5 Mentions some of the works of the flesh as "hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions". In contrast, the fruit of the Holy Spirit consists of things like peace, longsuffering, gentleness, meekness, and temperance. Meekness and humility are characteristics that every Christian should strive for. Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, was meek. Only our carnality would cause us to see meekness as a sign of weakness. Jesus told the Father, 'not my will, but thine be done". Doesn't that mean He was a "yes-man" too? Gladly then will I be a "yes-man" as I am conformed to the image of Christ.
I would like to encourage those of you who have been labeled as a "yes-man", for that is a good and proper title for a Christian. For you carnal Christians who refuse to submit and follow your Pastor, I earnestly plead with you to humbly examine yourself, learn from the many examples, such as Aaron and Miriam (Numbers 12), before it is too late. This is a serious matter. Finally, let me say, the reason there are so many who will never be "yes-men" at church is simply because they are "yes men" at home. Mark it down, it is hard for a man to submit to a pastor at Church when he is in submission at home, but that is another article.
Greg Allgood
A "YES-MAN" at Faith Baptist Church, Laurens, South Carolina
GregSuzi@gte.net