No Second Stringers

Years ago, a member of the church in another place complained rather loudly about our use of what he called “second stringers” in the worship.  An explanation of his terminology and his complaint is in order at this point.

“Second stringers,” according to his application, are people who are used to lead prayers, lead songs, and give lessons who are not as polished or accomplished in these things as are those who have been around for a while..  Sometimes they are new Christians who are just learning, sometimes they are older members who have lost a step.  Sometimes those who are not as pleasing in their appearance are the subject of this label  Much of the time, they are just people who have enough stage fright to cause their “performance” to not go smoothly.

This brother’s spoken concern was visitors would not be impressed.  The use of these individuals other than Wednesday night might serve to discourage those who were looking for a “church home.” [Now there’s a scriptural term.]  The rest of us need not be put to trial by being subjected too often to those who might be designated as “second string” or “substitutes” for those who through superior talent and more abundant experience are better suited for Sunday A. M. and P. M.

Some things need to be said about this brother’s opinion.  First, designating beginners as “second stringers” is not complimentary or encouraging.  Such a designation is entirely in the eye of the beholder anyway.  One who truly has the mind of Christ will not refer to his brother in such a way.  “Doing nothing through faction or through vainglory, but in lowliness of mind each counting other better than himself;  not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others.  Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 2:3-5).

Second, all of us have been in that situation.  Even the most accomplished song leader, the most powerful speaker, the man who leads the most eloquent prayer started as a rookie.  These skills don’t come naturally, and it is through the patience of good brethren that babes in Christ are allowed to develop them.

Third, there are those who are approaching the close of their service on the earth who may have lost a little something.  This may be seen in their prayers or their song-leading.  There is a time when a brother may have to be “put out to pasture,” so to speak, but how precious is their example when in the weakness of advanced age, they are still giving it their best.

Fourth, I worry about those who give so much attention to the notion that visitors might be discouraged.  What visitors need to see is that we are all together in this place, and that the efforts of our most feeble are precious.  Frankly, I am not ashamed or embarrassed by the efforts of anyone as long as they are trying to do well and cheerfully so (2 Cor. 9:7).  “But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.  Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary:  and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honorable, upon these we bestow more abundant honor; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness;  whereas our comely parts have no need: but God tempered the body together, giving more abundant honor to that part which lacked;  that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another” (1 Cor. 12:20-25).

I am reminded of a conversation I overheard between two of my friends concerning a brother of one who had Down’s Syndrome.  The first girl to speak consoled her friend because of the afflicted child in the family.  She knew what a hardship it must be, and it was so good that there were several in the family who could help shoulder the burden.  But how on earth did she explain her brother to her friends?  The second girl said that she never thought of her brother as being burdensome on account of the fact that he was the most positive member of the family.  He always tried the hardest, was the friendliest to company, and was always thinking of others.  Sure, there were times when they were embarrassed for him – he wasn’t very smart, and often spoke inappropriately – but they were never embarrassed on account of him.  As far as she was concerned, there was nothing to explain.  In fact, everyone grew and enjoyed those times when he was allowed to do what he could.

What is the point?  There are often brothers who are feeling their way along, trying to grow and contribute, and they don’t yet have the skills or experience.  While we would not want to put them in positions that would embarrass them or draw attention to their weakness, we certainly do not want to relegate them to a place that indicates we are embarrassed.  We all need to grow, and we all need to grow together.  Brethren do not look down on the best efforts of those who are just starting out.

Why are we here?  What is the purpose of our worship service?  Some look at our worship as though it was a program or show.  Anything less than perfect is unacceptable.  They are wrong.  It is not a program.  And those things we do are not for the satisfaction of anyone’s desire to be entertained or enjoy as though it was a show.

Scripturally, we gather to participate in worship.  “This people honoreth me with their lips; But their heart is far from me.  But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men” (Matt. 15:8-9).  What is important is not our appearance or performance.  What is important is our disposition toward God.  Where congregations have forgotten this, you have the problems spoken of in this article. 

“For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? or am I striving to please men? if I were still pleasing men, I should not be a servant of Christ” (Gal. 1:10).  Are we seeking to please men through our physical appearance?  Is what our visitors think so important that we would leave behind those who are weak but doing their best?

Those who are members here are not spectators.  You are not the audience.  We are all participating together in an exercise that is intended to promote the cause of Christ, first in ourselves, then in those who might happen in.