Another image of the Church is found in 1 Corinthians 3:9. It is that of a field or garden. The background that called forth this image was the local congregation at Corinth experiencing a divisive spirit brought on by partisanship or rivalry. Contention centered around members choosing their favorite leaders.
The analogy of the Church as a planted field was set forth as an antidote to the spirit of favoritism. What then are we able to learn from this image about the Church?
God’s idea
The assertion, “You are God’s field,” is an immediate reminder that churches ultimately belong to God. While the expression “my church” can carry a sense of investment in and appropriate pride for it, we recognize we are not its owner.
Church was and is God’s idea for His children to experience fellowship with one another on earth as preparation for an eternity of fellowship in heaven. God’s idea required the sending of His Son, leading to the Son’s saving death. We might think of the Church as God’s idea made real through sending His Son and His Spirit.
A further truth in the analogy is that those who work in God’s field are His servants. Such were Paul and Apollos.
Workers in the Church do not all possess the same gifts, talents and functions. Paul termed himself a planter and Apollos a waterer. Both were God’s servants attending to necessary ministries in the Corinthian congregation.
Giving undue praise
Since ministers in God’s field — whether clergy or lay — are servants, none are to be accorded undue praise or allegiance. Of course all of us do well to hold our church leaders in honor and uphold them in prayer.
The Romans 13:7 principle is applicable not only to civil servants but also to servants in the Church, “Honor to whom honor is due.”
We do right to express gratitude to workers and leaders who demonstrate faithfulness and effectiveness in the Church. Appropriate praise for ministers who serve well has its place, but comparisons made between church leaders do not have a place. However prominent or visible one’s service in the Church, each person is still a servant.
Workers in His field
When all has been said members and ministers alike are God’s workers in His field.
Years ago in a student pastorate I heard a wise and loving deacon say, “The best pastor I ever had is always the one I have right now.” He would never have been drawn into a debate about who the church’s favorite pastor might have been.
When every member has made his or her contribution to the work and when leaders have used their gifts for ministry, it is only God who causes the growth. Church growth in all of its aspects is because of God’s presence through His Spirit working mightily through His servants. All praise and exaltation rightfully goes to the Giver of the increase, not to the servants who tend the field.
God’s harvest
When the day is done and the harvest is gathered, the owner of the field disburses the wages to the field hands. God alone can accurately gauge how faithfully each worker has labored in keeping with the worker’s giftedness to serve in the Church. “Each will receive his wages according to his labor”
(1 Cor. 3:8).
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