"Yippee!" the boy shouted. "Look at me. I'm a printer."

The printer said, "Take off your coat, sweep out the shop, and put more wood in the stove."

If the boy remains at the job, putting up with abuse from the other boys and the heavy hand of the master, running errands, cleaning the shop, finally being allowed to handle type, he will be a journeyman printer some day. After he has learned what there is to know about the various aspects of printing he will be regarded as a master. Then he will set up his own shop and take on apprentices who will be eager to gain the knowledge and skill of the master.

This is the way it is today. People become members of the Christian religion, not apprentices. They "make a decision for Christ" and yell, "Yippee! I'm a Christian." In fact, they don't even do that sometimes.

According to the Book of Acts the term "Christians" is the name given to the disciples.

How would it be if the "master Christian," the one of many years of experience in the "trade," set up a shop, a church. Then he took on apprentices. The people came expecting to be taught the knowledge of the ways of the Lord gained by the teacher over a long period of time.

If these were the role expectations, the pastor was a "master" Christian and the members of the congregation were apprentices, the elders being journeymen, more would be accomplished in one year as far as growth in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God than takes place during the entire lifetime of the members of the Christian churches.

The believers don't need "sermons," they need to be taught iron righteousness and integrity, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to the Father.

After they gain proficiency in these they are to set up shop and take on their own apprentices.

Of course, not all members of the Body of Christ are teachers. But according to the Scriptures each one has a gift with which to build up the members of the Body. Are we correct in this?

The second problem is that in many instances the Word of God is not being preached but some tradition, such as prosperity, getting what you want by faith, or the pre-tribulation rapture. This kind of preaching does not make disciples. The individual cannot learn how to keep Christ's commandments by being taught about how to get rich.

Often the pastor will preach about some plan that is on his heart, such as raising money to put in a new parking lot. The evangelist tells fifteen stories about his success in other places and then gives an altar call.

None of this is food for the sheep. None of this will disciple the listener.

To be continued.