In Manila in 1989 at Lausanne II, Lee Yih, delivered his memorable “Frogs and Lizards” speech. In it, he compared the ministry of the clergy to frogs, whose food comes to them. He continued by comparing the ministry of the laity to lizards, who go hunting in the nooks and crevices of their world to find their food. The attendees soon understood and enthusiastically endorsed the point that was being made. A wall had been erected between the professional Christians and the average everyday Christians. And that wall had to do with the perceptions of how we “do” Church.
I wanna be a prince!
I want to take the “Frog” analogy in a little different direction. We all have a dream of what we believe we could become. We have a self-image and a perception of who we are and what we stand for. Most of us are striving to attain the dream or at the very least we believe we are working with God to become all He wants us to be. But the professional Christian is a little different breed than almost anyone else. I know, I am one. We tend to see the world through colored glasses. And depending on the reception of last Sunday’s message, we can see ourselves as either Frogs or Princes.
Most professional Christians (pastors and the like) believe they are called to be princes but they often feel like frogs. It has to do with wanting to be the son/daughter of God they were called to be but being trapped in a system that keeps them frog-like rather than Christ-like. Every pastor wants the whole church presenting a whole gospel to the whole world. But they usually find themselves being the paid professional who presents a 20 minute synapses of an eternal truth to a disengaged congregation of believers once a week. This in spite of the fact that not one sermon recorded in the New Testament was directed at believers but rather at unbelievers. Add to this rabble of misconceived Christianity the fact that the pastor is expected to run the church like a business except for when a member needs a personal touch!
The litany of errors goes on and on. In the mean time our leader bemoans the fact that this isn’t what he signed up for. He knows he is to be a prince, a son of the living God, leading people into the Kingdom of God which is righteousness, peace and joy. But he feels like a frog – waiting for the people to come to him every Sunday to bring him the food that keeps the church running. That food isn’t new believers – it is money. The lizards have to go out and make money and bring it back to the church. But wait, aren’t they supposed to go out and win souls and bring them back to the church? Or were we all supposed to go out and invite people to church so the pastor could preach a sermon that will convict their hearts and bring them to a decision for Christ? Uhhhh, no, weren’t we supposed to encourage people to try out our church because we have a great youth group and we just built a new multi-use facility where we can play basketball, volleyball, and have great covered dish dinners (you feed them; they will come)? Oh, I’m so confused! What was it we were supposed to do? Who are we anyway?
I know I’m being a bit sarcastic and facetious. Please forgive me. I just want to point out that it is no wonder our leaders feel inept and unfulfilled. The following is a list of the hindrances most pastors and Christian leaders have due to their colored glasses. I propose that the structure of the traditional church hinders the implementation of these things in a significant way. Here is the list:
- They believe in the “priesthood of every believer,” but have not seen a biblical model of it.
- They do not see the obstacle they have created that separates the “professional” and the “ordinary” believer.
- They have confused teaching with equipping and modeling.
- They have elevated programs and buildings over relationships, and growing their local church over building God’s kingdom.
- They have allowed walls to exist so that they will not have to be vulnerable to a small group or other individuals.
- They hate to give up control and are intimidated by strong lay leaders.
- They do not understand the difference between leading followers and equipping leaders.
- They enjoy the platform and attention of the crowds.
- They have elevated the teaching of the mind over the changing of the heart.
- They are afraid of partnerships with other churches, other denominations, and even other strong leaders in their own churches.
Now, I’m not making unsubstantiated charges here. I was in full time Christian ministry as a pastor for more than 25 years. I am guilty of each of these accusations though I worked hard to overcome each one. The point is, I know how pastors think and how they act. I know their heart’s desires and their feelings of frog-ship when they can’t accomplish their heart’s desire from within the system. They just want to be the prince they were called to be. But the system has snared them and deceived them into believing that if they work just a little harder or pray a little more they will finally become a prince.
I have more to say. Next time it will be about the LAITY. 
