Orange Street Bulletin

Are We Spectators?
William E. Young

Peter Berger writes: 'We cannot use...lack of leadership as an alibi for our own sub-Christian expectations."

In the context Berger speaks about church leaders bearing the brunt of criticism by members who are all too glad to place the responsibility of church failures on their leaders.

If one is a spectator at some sporting event, has paid a sizable fee at the gate to see it, then watches his favorite team lose, the spectator assumes the right to criticize. The spectator has high expectations for his team. When his team loses, the spectator is glum. In both emotions–high expectations and glumness, the spectator is only an observer, not a participant. His entrance fee at the gate qualifies him to be a critic. Only the participants are obligated to perform up to expectations. If the spectator
were suddenly jerked into a uniform, and pushed onto the playing area, his expectations would suddenly become very personal. He is now responsible for handling the ball and making points with his other teammates! The winning or losing of the sporting event becomes a mutual responsibility.

Therein may be the problem of many church members. We may see ourselves as spectators, paying the salaries of leaders or participants, and thus qualified to criticize. We shouldn't expect more of others than we do & ourselves. But, spectators always do!

Congregations are communities. We may have leaders, directors, organizers, and a host of other "civil\spiritual servants", but we are parts of the community property too. We have a right to expect our leaders to perform their special roles with excellence and dedication. But, none of us is a bed-patient whose only expected exercise is to push a buzzer for service!

"Wash my face... rub my back ...change my sheets..bring me my medicine...cheer me up..!" That's hospital talk – not teamwork! Perhaps leaders could be what we expect them to be if we were alongside them trying to achieve the team victory!

—Copied from The Encourager
Published by the Bell Shoals church of Christ, Brandon, FL

BIBLE BRAIN TWISTER

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts, and for others it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the names of the books are not capitalized, but the truth finally struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you. Yes, there will be some really easy ones to spot. Others may require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually takes a minister to find one of the 17, and there will be loud lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a cup of tea so she can concentrate better. See how well you can compete. Relax now, for there really are the names of 17 books of the Bible in these sentences. One preacher found 16 books in 20 minutes. It took him three weeks to find the seventeenth one.

Hint: See how many books of the Bible you can find in the text above.